[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 102 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 102

  Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and 
    Mexico, and recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances the 
      national security and national interests of both countries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 29, 2017

Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Durbin, Mr. McCain, 
    and Mr. Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and 
    Mexico, and recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances the 
      national security and national interests of both countries.

Whereas the people of United States and Mexico enjoy shared cultural and 
        economic ties and both nations share common values based on the desire 
        to achieve peace, security, and prosperity in their respective 
        countries;
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Mexico engage in bilateral 
        cooperation on a broad range of issues that directly benefits each 
        country's national security and national interests;
Whereas the United States and Mexico enjoy close diplomatic cooperation and 
        Mexico has consistently voted with the United States at the United 
        Nations on challenges related to Syria, North Korea, and Ukraine, as 
        well as at the Organization of American States on issues related to 
        Venezuela;
Whereas Mexico is an important security and defense partner to the United 
        States, and regularly participates in training activities in 
        coordination with United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and the 
        North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD);
Whereas consecutive United States and Mexican administrations have increased 
        bilateral defense and law enforcement cooperation on counterterrorism 
        and counternarcotics issues, including the illicit trafficking of 
        weapons, money, people, and drugs across the United States Southern 
        Border;
Whereas the Government of Mexico has utilized its military and Federal Police to 
        combat the transnational criminal organizations that have waged 
        campaigns of ruthless violence against the Mexican people and trafficked 
        an immeasurable quantity of illegal drugs into the United States that 
        have taken the lives of far too many Americans;
Whereas the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto has extradited more 
        than 270 individuals facing criminal charges to the United States, 
        including Joaquin ``El Chapo'' Guzman on January 19, 2017;
Whereas the Government of Mexico has initiated an effort to reduce the growing 
        domestic production of heroin through the eradication of poppy and 
        destruction of labs used to make heroin;
Whereas Mexico has sought to improve anti-corruption efforts at the local, 
        State, and Federal level by adopting a national anticorruption system 
        and starting a transition from a Presidentially appointed attorney 
        general's office to a more independent prosecutor general's office 
        selected by the Mexican Senate;
Whereas, through the Merida Initiative, which was launched in 2008, the 
        Governments of the United States and Mexico have collaborated to combat 
        organized crime, strengthen the rule of law, advance judicial reform, 
        and address challenges to human rights in Mexico, including the 
        involvement of security forces in extrajudicial killings of civilians, 
        the disappearances of more than 23,000 individuals, and the unresolved 
        forced disappearance of 43 students in Guerrero State in 2014;
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Mexico collaborate on a broad 
        range of initiatives to strengthen the bilateral commercial and economic 
        relationship, including the ongoing High Level Economic Dialogue, 
        launched in 2013 to bring together cabinet officials from both countries 
        to promote economic growth, job creation, a modern and efficient border, 
        and competitiveness;
Whereas the United States and Mexico conducted $583,600,000,000 in trade in 
        goods and services in 2015, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade 
        Representative;
Whereas Mexico is the United States second largest export market and third 
        largest trading partner;
Whereas trade with Mexico and Canada supports nearly 14,000,000 United States 
        jobs; and
Whereas United States and Mexican citizens collaborate on a broad range of 
        initiatives to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and educational 
        exchanges: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) reaffirms the strategic partnership between the United 
        States and Mexico, which is vital for the national security and 
        economic well-being of both nations;
            (2) supports continued diplomatic, economic, and security 
        cooperation between the United States and Mexico, including 
        undertaking joint efforts to address the common security 
        challenges and opportunities for improved commerce that exist 
        across their nearly 2,000-mile border;
            (3) encourages enhanced security cooperation between the 
        United States and Mexican militaries and law enforcement 
        agencies to address common challenges such as counterterrorism 
        and counternarcotics, including the increased trafficking of 
        heroin and fentanyl;
            (4) commits to continue the United States Government's 
        partnership with the Government of Mexico to combat the 
        transnational criminal organizations that are undermining the 
        rule of law in Mexico and projecting their influence in the 
        form of illicit trafficking of weapons, money, people, and 
        drugs across the United States Southern Border;
            (5) supports efforts by the Government of Mexico to 
        strengthen the rule of law, reduce corruption, and advance 
        civil and human rights; and
            (6) remains committed to a relationship between the United 
        States and Mexico that is based on mutual respect and the 
        promotion of shared democratic values and principles.
                                 <all>