Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-567
Sponsor: Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Introduced: 2021-01-28 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial procedure and administration
Law enforcement administration and funding
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
News media and reporting
Performance measurement
Political movements and philosophies
Rule of law and government transparency
Terrorism
Women's education
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: 

Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program, an interagency program launched in 2005 to partner with countries in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
 
The Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, shall establish the partnership program, which must coordinate all U.S. programs in North and West Africa related to various counterterrorism activities, such as building foreign-military capacity, enhancing border security, promoting youth employment, and supporting independent media to counter terrorist propaganda. 
 
The State Department must submit comprehensive, five-year strategies that include specified activities for the Sahel and Maghreb regions and for program counterterrorism efforts. Further, program activities must, among other things (1) be carried out in countries where there is an adequate level of partner country committment, and (2) have clearly defined outcomes and specific plans with indicators to regularly monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact. Such activities must also take into account the counterterrorism and development strategies of partner countries and align with such strategies to the extent possible.
 
The State Department shall notify Congress before obligating funds for such programs, and must submit annual reports about program activities. 

action_date: 2021-06-29
text: 

Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program, an interagency program launched in 2005 to partner with countries in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
 
The Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, shall establish the partnership program, which must coordinate all U.S. programs in North and West Africa related to various counterterrorism activities, such as building foreign-military capacity, enhancing border security, promoting youth employment, and supporting independent media to counter terrorist propaganda. 
 
The State Department must submit comprehensive, five-year strategies that include specified activities for the Sahel and Maghreb regions and for program counterterrorism efforts. Further, program activities must, among other things (1) be carried out in countries where there is an adequate level of partner country committment, and (2) have clearly defined outcomes and specific plans with indicators to regularly monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact. Such activities must also take into account the counterterrorism and development strategies of partner countries and align with such strategies to the extent possible.
 
The State Department shall notify Congress before obligating funds for such programs, and must submit annual reports about program activities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-06-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2021-06-29
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 15 (Roll no. 192). (text: 06/28/2021 CR H3171-3173)
action_date: 2021-06-29
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 15 (Roll no. 192).(text: 06/28/2021 CR H3171-3173)
action_date: 2021-06-29
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3262-3263)
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 567.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3171-3174)
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Mr. Meeks moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2021-02-25
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2021-02-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-01-28
text: Introduced in House