United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016
PL 114-291 (H.R.4939), enacted 12/16/2016

130 STAT. 1497 
PUBLIC LAW 114–291—DEC. 16, 2016 
Public Law 114–291 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, the Carib-
bean diaspora community in the United States, and the private sector and civil 
society in both the United States and the Caribbean, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘United States–Caribbean Stra-
tegic Engagement Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 
Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States 
to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean 
region and with civil society, including the private sector, in both 
the United States and the Caribbean, in a concerted effort to— 
(1) enhance diplomatic relations between the United States 
and the Caribbean region; 
(2) increase economic cooperation between the United 
States and the Caribbean region; 
(3) support regional economic, political, and security 
integration efforts in the Caribbean region; 
(4) 
encourage 
enduring 
economic 
development 
and 
increased regional economic diversification and global competi-
tiveness; 
(5) reduce levels of crime and violence, curb the trafficking 
of illicit drugs, strengthen the rule of law, and improve citizen 
security; 
(6) improve energy security by increasing access to diverse, 
reliable, and affordable power; 
(7) advance cooperation on democracy and human rights 
at multilateral fora; 
(8) continue support for public health advances and 
cooperation on health concerns and threats to the Caribbean 
region; and 
(9) expand Internet access throughout the region, especially 
to countries lacking the appropriate infrastructure. 
SEC. 3. STRATEGY. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Adminis-
trator of the United States Agency for International Development 
(USAID), shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a multi-year strategy for United States engagement to support 
the efforts of interested nations in the Caribbean region that— 
Deadline. 
Coordination. 
United States– 
Caribbean 
Strategic 
Engagement 
Act of 2016. 
22 USC 2151 
note. 
Dec. 16, 2016 
[H.R. 4939] 
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130 STAT. 1498 
PUBLIC LAW 114–291—DEC. 16, 2016 
(1) identifies Department of State and USAID priorities, 
in coordination with other executive branch agencies, for United 
States policy towards the Caribbean region; 
(2) outlines an approach to partner with governments of 
the Caribbean region to improve citizen security, reduce the 
trafficking of illicit drugs, strengthen the rule of law, and 
improve the effectiveness and longevity of the Caribbean Basin 
Security Initiative; 
(3) establishes a comprehensive, integrated, multi-year 
strategy to encourage efforts of the Caribbean region to imple-
ment regional and national strategies that improve energy secu-
rity, by increasing access to all available sources of energy, 
including by taking advantage of the indigenous energy sources 
of the Caribbean and the ongoing energy revolution in the 
United States; 
(4) outlines an approach to improve diplomatic engagement 
with the governments of the Caribbean region, including with 
respect to human rights and democracy; 
(5) Describes how the United States can develop an 
approach to supporting Caribbean countries in efforts they 
are willing to undertake with their own resources to diversify 
their economies; 
(6) describes ways to ensure the active participation of 
citizens of the Caribbean in existing program and initiatives 
administered by the Department of State’s Bureau of Edu-
cational and Cultural Affairs; and 
(7) reflects the input of other executive branch agencies, 
as appropriate. 
SEC. 4. BRIEFINGS. 
The Secretary of State shall offer to the appropriate congres-
sional committees annual briefings that review Department of State 
efforts to implement the strategy for United States engagement 
with the Caribbean region in accordance with section 3. 
SEC. 5. PROGRESS REPORT. 
Not later than 2 years after the submission of the strategy 
required under section 3, the President shall submit to the appro-
priate congressional committees a report on progress made toward 
implementing the strategy. 
SEC. 6. REPORTING COST OFFSET. 
Section 601(c)(4) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 
4001(c)(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘the following:’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘(B) A workforce plan’’ and inserting ‘‘a workforce 
plan’’. 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ means the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate. 
(2) CARIBBEAN
REGION.—The term ‘‘Caribbean region’’ 
means the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative beneficiary coun-
tries. 
President. 
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130 STAT. 1499 
PUBLIC LAW 114–291—DEC. 16, 2016 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4939: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 
June 13, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 9, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Dec. 13, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
(3) SECURITY ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘‘security assistance’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 502B(d)(2) of the 
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(d)(2)). 
Approved December 16, 2016. 
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