A bill to require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.

Bill: 114-s-1632
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2015-06-18
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa

Congressional oversight

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Economic development

Foreign aid and international relief

Human rights

Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

International organizations and cooperation

Judicial procedure and administration

Military operations and strategy

Military personnel and dependents

Nigeria

Rule of law and government transparency

Terrorism

United Nations
Latest action: action_date: 2016-12-14
text: Became Public Law No: 114-266.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-06-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill requires: </p> <ul> <li>the Department of State and the Department of Defense to jointly develop and submit to Congress a five-year strategy to help Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram, and relevant partners to counter Boko Haram, and to assist Nigeria and its neighbors to address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and </li> <li>the Director of National Intelligence to assess Nigeria's willingness and capability to implement such strategy.</li></ul>

action_date: 2015-07-29
action_desc: Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
text: <p>(Sec. 1) This bill requires: </p> <ul> <li>the Department of State and the Department of Defense to develop jointly and submit to Congress a five-year strategy to help Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram, and relevant partners to counter Boko Haram, and to assist Nigeria and its neighbors to address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and </li> <li>the Director of National Intelligence to assess the willingness and capability Nigeria and regional partners to implement such strategy.</li> </ul> <p> Such strategy must address the following elements: </p> <ul> <li> enhancing the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of Nigeria and partner nations in the region to counter Boko Haram; </li> <li> providing humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram; </li> <li> improving the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military; </li> <li> assisting Nigeria and Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations to counter violent extremism; </li> <li> strengthening the rule of law and Nigeria's capacity to enhance school security; and </li> <li> identifying the resources required to achieve such objectives. </li> </ul> <p> It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to Boko Haram's ability to radicalize and recruit individuals.</p>

action_date: 2015-09-22
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p>(Sec. 1) This bill requires: </p> <ul> <li>the Department of State and the Department of Defense to develop jointly and submit to Congress a five-year strategy to help Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram, and relevant partners to counter Boko Haram, and to assist Nigeria and its neighbors to address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and </li> <li>the Director of National Intelligence to assess the willingness and capability Nigeria and regional partners to implement such strategy.</li> </ul> <p> Such strategy must address the following elements: </p> <ul> <li> enhancing the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of Nigeria and partner nations in the region to counter Boko Haram; </li> <li> providing humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram; </li> <li> improving the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military; </li> <li> assisting Nigeria and Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations to counter violent extremism; </li> <li> strengthening the rule of law and Nigeria's capacity to enhance school security; and </li> <li> identifying the resources required to achieve such objectives. </li> </ul> <p> It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to Boko Haram's ability to radicalize and recruit individuals.</p>

action_date: 2016-12-07
action_desc: Passed House without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 22, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p>(Sec. 1) This bill requires: </p> <ul> <li>the Department of State and the Department of Defense to develop jointly and submit to Congress a five-year strategy to help Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram, and relevant partners to counter Boko Haram, and to assist Nigeria and its neighbors to address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and </li> <li>the Director of National Intelligence to assess the willingness and capability Nigeria and regional partners to implement such strategy.</li> </ul> <p> Such strategy must address the following elements: </p> <ul> <li> enhancing the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of Nigeria and partner nations in the region to counter Boko Haram; </li> <li> providing humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram; </li> <li> improving the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military; </li> <li> assisting Nigeria and Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations to counter violent extremism; </li> <li> strengthening the rule of law and Nigeria's capacity to enhance school security; and </li> <li> identifying the resources required to achieve such objectives. </li> </ul> <p> It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to Boko Haram's ability to radicalize and recruit individuals.</p>

action_date: 2016-12-14
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 22, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p>(Sec. 1) This bill requires: </p> <ul> <li>the Department of State and the Department of Defense to develop jointly and submit to Congress a five-year strategy to help Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram, and relevant partners to counter Boko Haram, and to assist Nigeria and its neighbors to address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and </li> <li>the Director of National Intelligence to assess the willingness and capability Nigeria and regional partners to implement such strategy.</li> </ul> <p> Such strategy must address the following elements: </p> <ul> <li> enhancing the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of Nigeria and partner nations in the region to counter Boko Haram; </li> <li> providing humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram; </li> <li> improving the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military; </li> <li> assisting Nigeria and Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations to counter violent extremism; </li> <li> strengthening the rule of law and Nigeria's capacity to enhance school security; and </li> <li> identifying the resources required to achieve such objectives. </li> </ul> <p> It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to Boko Haram's ability to radicalize and recruit individuals.</p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1632 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 18, 2015 Ms. Collins (for herself and Ms. Ayotte ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.

1. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram's activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors that contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals (including poverty, the lack of economic opportunity and access to education, public health, and other social services). (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption and abuses. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Support the adoption of a United Nations Security Council Resolution authorizing a regional Multinational Joint Task Force to counter Boko Haram. (H) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (I) Identify the resources required, in an amount not less than $25,000,000, to achieve the strategy's objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an assessment (in classified form) regarding the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria to implement the strategy required by subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed in order to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region to counter the threat of Boko Haram and to address grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (c) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 175 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1632 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 18, 2015 Ms. Collins (for herself, Ms. Ayotte , Ms. Baldwin , Mrs. Fischer , Ms. Mikulski , Ms. Klobuchar , Mrs. Feinstein , Mrs. Gillibrand , Ms. Murkowski , Ms. Cantwell , Mrs. Shaheen , Mrs. Capito , Ms. Stabenow , Ms. Heitkamp , Mrs. Murray , and Mr. Rubio ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations July 29, 2015 Reported by Mr. Corker , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic A BILL To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.

1. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram's activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors that contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals (including poverty, the lack of economic opportunity and access to education, public health, and other social services). (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption and abuses. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Support the adoption of a United Nations Security Council Resolution authorizing a regional Multinational Joint Task Force to counter Boko Haram. (H) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (I) Identify the resources required, in an amount not less than $25,000,000, to achieve the strategy's objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an assessment (in classified form) regarding the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria to implement the strategy required by subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed in order to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region to counter the threat of Boko Haram and to address grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (c) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

1. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram's activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (H) Identify the resources required to achieve the strategy’s objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress an assessment regarding the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy required by subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed in order to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region to counter the threat of Boko Haram and to address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (c) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

July 29, 2015 Reported with an amendment

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1632 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.

1. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram's activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (H) Identify the resources required to achieve the strategy’s objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence shall submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, an assessment regarding— (1) the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the Government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region— (A) to counter the threat of Boko Haram; and (B) to address the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and (2) significant United States intelligence gaps concerning Boko Haram or on the willingness and capacity of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a). (c) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

Passed the Senate September 22, 2015. Secretary

tv_txt: IC 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1632 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 24, 2015 Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs , and in addition to the Select Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select) , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned AN ACT To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.

1. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram's activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (H) Identify the resources required to achieve the strategy’s objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence shall submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, an assessment regarding— (1) the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the Government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region— (A) to counter the threat of Boko Haram; and (B) to address the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and (2) significant United States intelligence gaps concerning Boko Haram or on the willingness and capacity of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a). (c) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

Passed the Senate September 22, 2015. Julie E. Adams, Secretary

tv_txt: One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America 2d Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen S. 1632 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To require a regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram.

1. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram's activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (H) Identify the resources required to achieve the strategy’s objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence shall submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, an assessment regarding— (1) the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the Government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region— (A) to counter the threat of Boko Haram; and (B) to address the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and (2) significant United States intelligence gaps concerning Boko Haram or on the willingness and capacity of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a). (c) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (d) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate