[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8716 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 8716

To strengthen the United States ties with Latin American and Caribbean 
 countries through diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation, to 
 counter efforts by the People's Republic of China to undermine United 
 States interests and values in the Americas, and to promote economic 
  development and competitiveness in the Latin America and Caribbean 
                                region.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 30, 2020

  Mr. Sires introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the 
 Judiciary, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To strengthen the United States ties with Latin American and Caribbean 
 countries through diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation, to 
 counter efforts by the People's Republic of China to undermine United 
 States interests and values in the Americas, and to promote economic 
  development and competitiveness in the Latin America and Caribbean 
                                region.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Advancing 
Competitiveness, Transparency, and Security in the Americas Act of 
2020''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 4. Statement of policy.
Sec. 5. Definitions.
Sec. 6. Assessing the intentions of the People's Republic of China in 
                            the Western Hemisphere.
 TITLE I--INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Sec. 101. Developing and implementing a strategy to increase economic 
                            competitiveness and promote the rule of 
                            law.
Sec. 102. Strengthening United States International Development Finance 
                            Corporation engagement in Latin America and 
                            the Caribbean.
Sec. 103. Advancing regulation of foreign investment in infrastructure 
                            projects to protect host countries' 
                            national interests.
Sec. 104. Strengthening infrastructure project selection and 
                            procurement processes.
Sec. 105. Promoting the rule of law in digital governance.
Sec. 106. Investing in projects that strengthen the region's digital 
                            infrastructure.
Sec. 107. Countering foreign corrupt practices in the Americas.
Sec. 108. Countering malign business practices.
Sec. 109. Promoting greater energy security.
    TITLE II--PROMOTING REGIONAL SECURITY AND DIGITAL SECURITY, AND 
                PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AMERICAS

Sec. 201. Ensuring the integrity of telecom and data networks and 
                            critical infrastructure.
Sec. 202. Addressing the risks that pervasive surveillance and 
                            monitoring technologies pose to human 
                            rights.
Sec. 203. Revitalizing bilateral and multilateral military education 
                            programs.
TITLE III--ADVANCING THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE 
                               CARIBBEAN

Sec. 301. Counteracting growing Chinese educational and cultural 
                            influence in Latin America and the 
                            Caribbean.
Sec. 302. Advancing the role of civil society and the media to promote 
                            accountability.
                    TITLE IV--RESOURCING FOR SUCCESS

Sec. 401. Appointment of China Engagement Officers at United States 
                            embassies in the Western Hemisphere.
Sec. 402. Assessing staffing needs at United States embassies in Latin 
                            America and the Caribbean.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The People's Republic of China has dramatically 
        increased engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean since 
        2004. Latin America is the second largest destination for 
        Chinese foreign direct investment. China has become the top 
        trading partner of Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. China's 
        trade with Latin America has grown from $17,000,000,000 in 2002 
        to $306,000,000,000 in 2018.
            (2) Between 2005 and 2018, the People's Republic of China 
        provided Latin America with an estimated $141,000,000,000 in 
        development loans and other assistance. The annual amount of 
        such loans and assistance consistently surpasses the annual 
        sovereign lending to Latin America and the Caribbean from 
        either the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank.
            (3) The People's Republic of China--
                    (A) is investing extensively across the region's 
                extractive sector and agricultural supply chains to 
                more effectively control raw materials supply and 
                pricing;
                    (B) has acquired and built new port facilities and 
                other transport and energy infrastructure in Brazil, 
                Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and elsewhere in the 
                region to expand its footprint in Latin America; and
                    (C) has developed strong partnerships and engaged 
                in extensive deal-making in telecommunications and 
                other technology-intensive sectors in the Latin 
                American and Caribbean region.
            (4) In 2015, the People's Republic of China and countries 
        of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) 
        held the first meeting of the China-CELAC Ministerial Forum, at 
        which they agreed to a 5-year cooperation plan regarding 
        politics, security, trade, investment, finance, infrastructure, 
        energy, resources, industry, agriculture, science, and people-
        to-people exchanges. China is also active in other regional 
        institutions, including multilateral development banks.
            (5) The United States Southern Command has warned that 
        China's space and telecommunications ventures in Latin America 
        and the Caribbean have created United States commercial and 
        security vulnerabilities.
            (6) China has spent more than $244,000,000,000 on energy 
        projects worldwide since 2000, 25 percent of which was spent in 
        Latin America and the Caribbean. Although the majority of this 
        spending was for oil, gas, and coal, China has also been the 
        largest investor in clean energy globally for almost a decade.
            (7) China promotes the repressive use of technology--
                    (A) by selling crowd control weapons and riot gear 
                used against demonstrators; and
                    (B) by developing tracking systems that can be used 
                by governments to surveil and monitor their citizens.
            (8) Although China did not originally include the Latin 
        America and Caribbean region in its Belt and Road Initiative--
                    (A) at a meeting with the Community of Latin 
                American and Caribbean States in January 2018, China 
                invited Latin America and the Caribbean to participate 
                in the Belt and Road Initiative, referring to the 
                region as a natural fit for a program that aims to 
                improve connectivity between land and sea through 
                jointly built logistic, electricity and information 
                pathways; and
                    (B) Nineteen Latin American and Caribbean countries 
                have signed bilateral Belt and Road Cooperation 
                Agreements since 2017.
            (9) The People's Republic of China offers to finance 
        projects in Latin America and the Caribbean on deceptively easy 
        terms that frequently lead recipient countries to become 
        dependent on, and deeply indebted to, China. Chinese companies 
        frequently engage in exploitative practices, including 
        predatory lending, and project requirements that--
                    (A) provide little or no benefit to the host 
                country; and
                    (B) facilitate corrupt practices.
            (10) The Government of China expects that Chinese companies 
        will invest the equivalent of $250,000,000,000 in Latin America 
        and the Caribbean by 2025.
            (11) Since 2017, China has used its increasing economic 
        influence in Latin America and the Caribbean to encourage 
        countries, including El Salvador, Panama, and the Dominican 
        Republic, to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Of the 15 
        countries that still maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, 
        9 are in Latin America and the Caribbean, namely: Belize, 
        Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, St. Kitts and 
        Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the United States shares extensive economic and 
        commercial relations, democratic values, cultural ties, and 
        geographic proximity with the nations of the Western 
        Hemisphere;
            (2) increased United States engagement with countries in 
        the Western Hemisphere is essential to addressing initiatives 
        by rival powers, such as China, to increase their presence and 
        influence over governments in Latin American and the Caribbean 
        at the expense of strategic economic and security interests of 
        the United States;
            (3) the United States is uniquely positioned to promote the 
        rule of law and support the strengthening of democratic 
        institutions and individual freedoms in Latin America and the 
        Caribbean, while improving the quality of life of citizens 
        throughout the Western Hemisphere;
            (4) China's growing presence in the Western Hemisphere--
                    (A) has contributed to the survival of autocratic 
                and anti-democratic regimes, such as the Maduro regime 
                and the Government of Cuba, by acting as a lender of 
                last resort and providing other forms of economic 
                support;
                    (B) has assisted such regimes in undermining 
                democratic norms through weapons sales and the 
                proliferation of surveillance technology; and
                    (C) has provided governments with the resources to 
                implement irresponsible economic policies to the 
                detriment of its citizens; and
            (5) the United States Government should continue to assert 
        a positive presence in the Western Hemisphere based upon--
                    (A) supporting the rule of law, combating 
                corruption, and advancing digital security as a means 
                to improve prospects for regional growth and 
                development and mitigate the unfair advantage accrued 
                to those that engage in unfair and illegal practices;
                    (B) facilitating technical assistance and 
                knowledge-sharing programs that strengthen regional 
                governments' and businesses' capacity for engaging in 
                sound negotiations and contracts, protect their 
                economic interests, and protect the economic interests 
                of their citizens;
                    (C) engaging in development investments that 
                strengthen United States public and private sector ties 
                to Western Hemisphere governments and businesses, 
                promote shared conviction that open markets and fair 
                competition are critical to sustained economic growth, 
                enhance regional businesses' ability to move up the 
                value chain, and are environmentally sustainable;
                    (D) raising awareness regarding how the 
                proliferation of Chinese economic largesse and the 
                increased adoption of Chinese surveillance technology 
                can harm Western Hemisphere economies and undermine 
                democratic institutions;
                    (E) empowering local and international media and 
                civil society to carefully monitor investment activity 
                in Latin America and the Caribbean to ensure 
                accountability and uncover the malign effects of 
                greater Chinese engagement, including a lack of 
                transparency, facilitation of corruption, unsustainable 
                debt, environmental damage, opaque labor and business 
                practices of Chinese firms, and the increased 
                likelihood of projects that leave host countries in 
                unsustainable debt; and
                    (F) promoting greater economic engagement between 
                the United States and other countries of the Western 
                Hemisphere to spur economic development in the region 
                and increase economic opportunities for the United 
                States private sector.

SEC. 4. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States--
            (1) to expand United States engagement in the Western 
        Hemisphere through economic and public diplomacy that 
        strengthens political and economic relations, reinforces shared 
        democratic values, and facilitates economic development in the 
        Western Hemisphere; and
            (2) to promote United States economic prosperity through 
        increased engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean.

SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Caribbean.--The term ``Caribbean'' does not include 
        Cuba, unless it is specifically named.
            (2) Latin america and the caribbean.--The term ``Latin 
        America and the Caribbean'' does not include Cuba, unless Cuba 
        is specifically named.
            (3) Rule of law.--The term ``rule of law'' refers to a 
        durable system of institutions and processes founded on the 
        universal principles of--
                    (A) accountability;
                    (B) just laws that protect fundamental freedoms;
                    (C) open and transparent government processes; and
                    (D) accessible and impartial dispute resolution.

SEC. 6. ASSESSING THE INTENTIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN 
              THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

    (a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
congressional committees'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
        House of Representatives.
    (b) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, working through 
the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Intelligence and 
Research, and in coordination with the Director of National 
Intelligence and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, shall 
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that 
assesses the nature, intent, and impact to United States strategic 
interests of--
            (1) Chinese economic activity in Latin America and the 
        Caribbean, such as foreign direct investment, development 
        financing, oil-for-loans deals, other preferential trading 
        arrangements, and projects related to China's Belt and Road 
        Initiative;
            (2) the involvement of Chinese government entities and 
        state-owned enterprises in infrastructure projects in Latin 
        America and the Caribbean, such as--
                    (A) the building, renovating, and operating of port 
                facilities, including the Margarita Port of Panama, 
                Posorja Deepwater Port in Ecuador, and the Port of 
                Paranagua in Brazil;
                    (B) the building and maintenance of the region's 
                telecom infrastructure, including the bidding and 
                construction of fiber optic submarine cables and the 
                installation of 5G technologies, by Chinese companies, 
                including Huawei, ZTE, and possibly others, and the 
                likelihood that these companies will be the dominant 
                providers of telecommunications infrastructure and 
                associated products and services in the region, with 
                great influence over Latin American government telecom 
                entities;
                    (C) the building of government facilities in the 
                region; and
                    (D) the building of Ecuador's Coca Codo Sinclair 
                Dam and other energy infrastructure projects in the 
                region;
            (3) Chinese military activity in the region, including 
        military education and training programs, weapons sales, and 
        space-related activities in the military or civilian spheres, 
        such as the major satellite and space control station China 
        recently constructed in Argentina;
            (4) Chinese security activity in Latin America and the 
        Caribbean, including sales of surveillance and monitoring 
        technology to regional governments such as Venezuela, Cuba, and 
        Ecuador, and the potential use of such technology as tools of 
        Chinese intelligence;
            (5) Chinese intelligence engagement in Latin America and 
        the Caribbean, and the development of dual-use platforms;
            (6) the nature of the People's Republic of China's presence 
        in the region, and whether it is competitive, threatening, or 
        benign to the United States national interests; and
            (7) Chinese diplomatic activity aimed at influencing the 
        decisions, procedures, and programs of multilateral 
        organizations, including the Organization of American States 
        (OAS) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), as well 
        the work in Latin America and the Caribbean of the World Bank 
        and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
    (c) Coordination.--In preparing the report required under 
subsection (b), the Secretary of State shall coordinate with the 
Secretary of the Treasury and the Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development, as feasible.
    (d) Form.--The report required under subsection (b) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form and shall include classified annexes.

 TITLE I--INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

SEC. 101. DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A STRATEGY TO INCREASE ECONOMIC 
              COMPETITIVENESS AND PROMOTE THE RULE OF LAW.

    (a) Strategy Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the 
Attorney General, the United States Trade Representative, the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
International Development Finance Corporation, shall submit a multi-
year strategy for increasing United States economic competitiveness and 
promoting the rule of law in Latin American and Caribbean countries, 
particularly in the areas of investment, sustainable development, 
commercial relations, anti-corruption activities, and infrastructure 
projects, to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (b) Additional Elements.--The strategy submitted pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall include a plan of action to--
            (1) assist Latin American and Caribbean countries with the 
        sustainable development of their economies;
            (2) promote the rule of law as a means to ensure fair 
        competition, combat corruption, and strengthen legal structures 
        critical to robust democratic governance;
            (3) identify and mitigate obstacles to economic growth in 
        Latin America and the Caribbean;
            (4) maintain free and transparent access to the internet 
        and digital infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere; and
            (5) facilitate a more competitive environment for United 
        States businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean.
    (c) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of 
State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the 
Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney General, the United States Trade 
Representative, and the leadership of the United States International 
Development Finance Corporation, shall brief the congressional 
committees listed in subsection (a) on the implementation of this 
title, including examples of successes and challenges.

SEC. 102. STRENGTHENING UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE 
              CORPORATION ENGAGEMENT IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE 
              CARIBBEAN.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) United States support for the development of 
        competitive industries in Latin America and the Caribbean, 
        which are necessary for workforce development, increased wages, 
        and further economic development, will provide an opportunity 
        to strengthen United States competitiveness;
            (2) the reliance of the BUILD Act of 2018 on the Gini 
        coefficient to measure eligibility for development financing 
        from the United States International Development Finance 
        Corporation would exclude the Caribbean's 12 countries from 
        qualifying for development financing; and
            (3) given the geographic proximity of Caribbean countries 
        to the United States, the economic stability of Caribbean 
        nations is important to United States national security 
        interests.
    (b) Eligibility of Caribbean Countries for Financing Through the 
United States International Development Finance Corporation.--Section 
1412(c) of the BUILD Act of 2018 (division F of Public Law 115-254) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Inclusion of caribbean countries.--Notwithstanding 
        paragraphs (1) and (2), Caribbean countries (excluding Cuba) 
        shall be included among the countries receiving prioritized 
        support under title II during the 10-year period beginning on 
        the date of the enactment of the Advancing Competitiveness, 
        Transparency, and Security in the Americas Act of 2020.''.
    (c) Prioritizing Engagement in the Western Hemisphere.--Section 
1412 of the BUILD Act of 2018, as amended by subsection (b), is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Foreign Policy Guidance.--The Secretary of State, in 
accordance with the priorities identified in subsection (c), shall 
provide foreign policy guidance to the Corporation to prioritize 
development financing to Latin American and Caribbean countries 
(excluding Cuba) by dedicating not less than 35 percent of development 
financing and equity investments to countries in Latin America and the 
Caribbean during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of the Advancing Competitiveness, Transparency, and Security 
in the Americas Act of 2020.''.

SEC. 103. ADVANCING REGULATION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE 
              PROJECTS TO PROTECT HOST COUNTRIES' NATIONAL INTERESTS.

    (a) Finding.--Congress finds that the Committee on Foreign 
Investment in the United States (referred to in this subsection as 
``CFIUS''), as set forth in section 721 of the Defense Production Act 
of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565)--
            (1) protects United States national security interests that 
        are related to foreign direct investment in the United States 
        economy; and
            (2) provides a mechanism by which the United States 
        Government can respond to concerns that investments may be 
        driven by political, rather than economic, motives.
    (b) In General.--The Secretary of State, working through the 
Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs and the 
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law 
Enforcement Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of the 
Treasury, shall offer to provide technical assistance to partner 
governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to assist members of 
national legislatures and executive branch officials in establishing 
legislative and regulatory frameworks that are similar to the 
frameworks set forth in section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 
1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565).
    (c) Purposes.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary of 
State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall 
actively encourage partner governments--
            (1) to protect their respective country's national security 
        interests;
            (2) to protect the national security interests of their 
        allies; and
            (3) to review and approve, suspend, or prohibit investments 
        and projects, on a case-by-case basis and in the aggregate, to 
        evaluate and assess their potential risk to such national 
        security interests.
    (d) Diplomatic Engagement.--In providing the technical assistance 
described in subsection (b), the Secretary of State shall conduct 
diplomatic engagement with legislators from countries vital to the 
interests of the United States to encourage them to adopt legislation 
described in subsections (b) and (c) to regulate infrastructure 
development projects.
    (e) Strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a strategy 
for carrying out the activities described in subsections (b) through 
(d) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
        the Senate;
            (4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (5) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (6) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (f) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, 
the Secretary of State shall provide a briefing regarding the 
activities described in subsections (b) through (d) and the strategy 
submitted under subsection (e) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary of State $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to 
        carry out the activities set forth in subsections (b) through 
        (d).
            (2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification 
        requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic 
        Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act 
        of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and the International Narcotics and 
        Law Enforcement Fund under section 489 of the Foreign 
        Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291h), to the extent that 
        such funds are expended.

SEC. 104. STRENGTHENING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT SELECTION AND 
              PROCUREMENT PROCESSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Corruption, as evidenced by the Odebrecht construction 
        scandal and the Panama Papers, creates significant obstacles to 
        doing business in Latin America and the Caribbean.
            (2) China further exacerbates the levels of corruption in 
        the region by engaging in corrupt practices when pursuing 
        secure infrastructure contracts and procurement agreements.
            (3) Procurement agreements not based exclusively on cost, 
        quality, and necessity can lead to projects that do not serve 
        the best interests of the public.
    (b) Engagement Initiatives.--The Secretary of State, in 
coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development, the Chief Executive Officer of United States 
International Development Finance Corporation, the Director of the 
United States Trade Development Agency, and representatives of the 
Department of the Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance, shall plan 
and carry out initiatives to engage with governments in Latin America 
and the Caribbean for the purpose of strengthening infrastructure 
project selection processes and procurement processes, including--
            (1) discussing, devising, and disseminating best practices, 
        frameworks, and tools that--
                    (A) ensure greater adherence to the rule of law;
                    (B) promote greater transparency in infrastructure, 
                trade, and development projects; and
                    (C) more effectively regulate tender processes to 
                minimize opportunities for corrupt practices;
            (2) strengthening legal structures as needed to ensure 
        business agreements are transparent, clear, and enforceable;
            (3) increasing the capacity of Latin American and Caribbean 
        governments to effectively assess and negotiate investment 
        opportunities in accordance with applicable laws, including 
        commercial and public infrastructure projects;
            (4) promoting legislation that codifies best practices in 
        applying the rule of law to infrastructure, trade, and 
        development projects;
            (5) promoting the adoption of infrastructure project 
        selection processes that include environmental impact studies 
        that prioritize minimal environmental impact, strong 
        environmental standards, and social safeguards for vulnerable 
        and marginalized populations, including indigenous and Afro-
        Latino populations;
            (6) emphasizing differences in business practices between 
        the United States and China, particularly those relating to the 
        rule of law, transparency, and financing; and
            (7) fostering and enabling economic and technical data 
        sharing relating to contract costs, structuring, and terms, 
        including loan terms, cost overruns, and quality assurance, 
        among regional governments and the United States.
    (c) Consultation.--During the planning of the initiatives described 
in subsection (b), the Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
International Development Finance Corporation, the Director of the 
United States Trade Development Agency's Global Procurement Initiative, 
and representatives of the Department of the Treasury's Office of 
Technical Assistance, shall consult with representatives of the private 
sector and nongovernmental organizations in the United States, Latin 
America, and the Caribbean.
    (d) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary 
of State shall provide a briefing regarding the initiatives described 
in subsection (b) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (e) Baseline Assessment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report 
to the congressional committees referred to in subsection (d) that 
assesses, based on credible indices of the performance of the rule of 
law (including the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index), the 
progress made by Latin American and Caribbean governments toward 
strengthening the rule of law, reducing corruption, and creating 
greater transparency in business practices, including through--
            (1) standardizing and regulating procurement practices; and
            (2) streamlining, modernizing, and digitizing records for 
        public procurement and customs duties.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary of State for fiscal year 2021, $5,000,000 to 
        carry out the activities set forth in subsections (b) and (c).
            (2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification 
        requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic 
        Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act 
        of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) to the extent that such funds are 
        expended.

SEC. 105. PROMOTING THE RULE OF LAW IN DIGITAL GOVERNANCE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that United 
States engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean regarding 
digital infrastructure and security should--
            (1) help protect privacy, civil liberties, and human 
        rights; and
            (2) strengthen institutions aimed at fighting cybercrimes.
    (b) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Department of Justice, shall conduct diplomatic engagement to encourage 
and facilitate Latin American and Caribbean governments' adoption of 
standards to address cybercrimes, such as institutionalizing the 
recommendations of the Organization of American States Ninth Meeting of 
Ministers of Justice or Other Ministers or Attorneys General of the 
Americas Working Group on Cybercrime (December 2016: OEA/Ser. K/XXXIV), 
including--
            (1) adopting or updating procedural measures and 
        legislation necessary to ensure the collection and safe custody 
        of all forms of electronic evidence and their admissibility in 
        criminal proceedings and trials and to enable States to assist 
        one another in matters involving electronic evidence, with due 
        regard for rights to privacy and due process;
            (2) developing and implementing national strategies to 
        deter, investigate, and prosecute cybercrime as part of a 
        broader and more coordinated effort to protect the information 
        technology systems and networks of citizens, businesses, and 
        governments;
            (3) continuing to develop partnerships among Latin American 
        and Caribbean officials responsible for preventing, 
        investigating, and prosecuting such crimes, and the private 
        sector, in order to streamline and improve the procurement of 
        information in the context of mutual assistance proceedings; 
        and
            (4) working, in cooperation with like-minded democracies in 
        international organizations, to advance standards for digital 
        governance and promote a free and open internet.
    (c) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter 
until the date that is 5 years after such date of enactment, the 
Secretary of State shall brief the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives regarding the diplomatic engagement described in 
subsection (b).

SEC. 106. INVESTING IN PROJECTS THAT STRENGTHEN THE REGION'S DIGITAL 
              INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) According to a 2016 report by the Organization for 
        Economic Cooperation and Development, ``Working Paper No. 334: 
        Harnessing the Digital Economy for Developing Countries''--
                    (A) the digital economy fosters growth and 
                productivity and supports inclusive development by 
                improving accessibility for previously marginalized 
                groups;
                    (B) access to digital infrastructure can provide 
                these groups with a whole range of markets and 
                services, including education, peer-to-peer lending, e-
                government, the sharing economy, crowdfunding, and 
                online job matching services; and
                    (C) adoption and usage of digital technologies 
                raises the productivity of capital and labor, enables 
                the participation in global value chains, and 
                contributes to greater inclusion by lowering 
                transaction costs and expanding access to information.
            (2) According to the Inter-American Development Bank, the 
        combination of high rates of financial exclusion and high 
        mobile penetration and technological innovation represents a 
        great opportunity to use technology to enable financial 
        services to reach a part of the population in Latin America 
        that has been underserved by traditional financial services.
    (b) Digital Infrastructure Access and Security Strategy.--Not later 
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of State, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, 
shall submit to Congress a strategy and implementation plan for 
leveraging United States expertise to help Latin American and Caribbean 
governments--
            (1) develop and secure their digital infrastructure;
            (2) protect technological assets, including data privacy;
            (3) advance cybersecurity to protect against cybercrime and 
        cyberespionage; and
            (4) create more equal access to economic opportunities for 
        their citizens.
    (c) Challenges.--The strategy described in subsection (b) shall 
address--
            (1) the severe digital divides between more wealthy urban 
        centers and rural districts;
            (2) the need for protection of citizens' privacy; and
            (3) the need to expand existing initiatives to allow 
        public-private partnerships to increase access to micro-grids 
        and decentralized electronic systems.
    (d) Consultation.--In creating the strategy described in subsection 
(b), the Secretary of State shall consult with--
            (1) leaders of the United States telecommunication 
        industry;
            (2) other technology experts from nongovernmental 
        organizations and academia; and
            (3) representatives from relevant United States Government 
        agencies.
    (e) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter 
until the date that is 5 years after such date of enactment, the 
Secretary of State shall brief the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives regarding the implementation of the strategy described 
in subsection (b).

SEC. 107. COUNTERING FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES IN THE AMERICAS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, working through the 
Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs and the 
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law 
Enforcement Affairs, shall offer to provide technical assistance to 
partner governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to assist 
members of national legislatures and executive branch officials in 
establishing legislative and regulatory frameworks that are similar to 
those set forth in--
            (1) section 30A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
        U.S.C. 78dd-1); and
            (2) section 104 of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 
        1977 (15 U.S.C. 78dd-2).
    (b) Purposes.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary of 
State shall actively encourage partner governments--
            (1) to adopt standards similar to those in the Foreign 
        Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (title I of Public Law 95-213) 
        that deter fraudulent business practices and increase 
        government and private sector accountability in Latin America 
        and the Caribbean; and
            (2) to strengthen the investigative and prosecutorial 
        capacity of government institutions in Latin America and the 
        Caribbean to combat fraudulent business practices involving 
        public officials.
    (c) Strategy Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a 
strategy for carrying out the activities described in subsections (a) 
and (b) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (d) Consultation.--In formulating the strategy described in 
subsection (c), the Secretary of State shall consult with the Secretary 
of the Treasury and the Attorney General.
    (e) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter 
until the date that is 5 years after such date of enactment, the 
Secretary of State shall provide a briefing regarding the activities 
described in subsections (a) and (b) and the strategy submitted under 
subsection (c) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        $10,000,000 to the Department of State for fiscal year 2021--
                    (A) to carry out the activities set forth in 
                subsections (a) and (b); and
                    (B) to develop the strategy submitted under 
                subsection (c).
            (2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification 
        requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic 
        Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act 
        of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and the International Narcotics and 
        Law Enforcement Fund under section 489 of the Foreign 
        Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291h), to the extent that 
        such funds are expended.

SEC. 108. COUNTERING MALIGN BUSINESS PRACTICES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) China has demonstrated a pattern of exploiting 
        international norms and domestic laws in foreign states to its 
        benefit, while ignoring such laws and norms when they interfere 
        with China's perceived national interests.
            (2) China has demonstrated a pattern of bribing foreign 
        government officials to ensure that it receives favorable terms 
        on infrastructure deals and overstates the benefits or 
        underplays the risks of proposed infrastructure projects.
    (b) Aliens Ineligible for Visas, Admission, or Parole.--An alien 
described in this subsection is an alien whom the Secretary of State or 
the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a designee of either Secretary) 
knows, or has reason to believe, is engaging or has engaged in acts of 
significant corruption in a country in Latin America or the Caribbean 
with representatives of, or on behalf of, the Government of China, a 
Chinese state-owned entity, or a Chinese private sector entity.
    (c) Visas, Admission, or Parole.--An alien described in subsection 
(b) is--
            (1) inadmissible to the United States;
            (2) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to 
        enter the United States; and
            (3) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the 
        United States or to receive any benefit under the Immigration 
        and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
    (d) Current Visas Revoked.--
            (1) In general.--An alien described in subsection (b) is 
        subject to revocation of any visa or other entry documentation 
        regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is or 
        was issued.
            (2) Immediate effect.--A revocation under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) shall take effect immediately; and
                    (B) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa 
                or entry documentation that is in the alien's 
                possession.
    (e) Exceptions.--Sanctions under subsections (c) and (d) shall not 
apply with respect to an alien if admitting or paroling the alien into 
the United States is necessary--
            (1) to permit the United States to comply with the 
        Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, 
        signed at Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force 
        November 21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United 
        States, or other applicable international obligations; or
            (2) to carry out or assist law enforcement activity in the 
        United States.
    (f) National Security.--The President may waive the application of 
this section with respect to an alien if the President--
            (1) determines that such a waiver is in the national 
        security interest of the United States; and
            (2) submits a notice of, and justification for, such waiver 
        to the appropriate congressional committees.

SEC. 109. PROMOTING GREATER ENERGY SECURITY.

    (a) Policy Statement.--It is the policy of the United States to 
help Caribbean countries--
            (1) achieve greater energy security; and
            (2) lower their dependence on imported fuels.
    (b) Strategy Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a 
multi-year strategy to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate 
and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
for regional cooperation with Caribbean countries--
            (1) to lower the region's dependence on imported fuels, 
        grow the region's domestic energy production for the generation 
        of electricity, and strengthen regional energy security;
            (2) to lower the region's dependence on oil in the 
        transportation sector;
            (3) to increase the region's energy efficiency, energy 
        conservation, and investment in alternatives to imported fuels;
            (4) to improve grid reliability and modernize electricity 
        transmission networks;
            (5) to advance deployment of innovative solutions to expand 
        community and individuals' access to electricity; and
            (6) to help reform the region's energy markets to encourage 
        good regulatory governance and to promote a climate of private 
        sector investment.
    (c) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (b) shall 
include--
            (1) a thorough review and inventory of United States 
        Government activities to promote energy security in the 
        Caribbean region and to reduce the region's reliance on oil for 
        electricity generation that are being carried out bilaterally, 
        regionally, and in coordination with multilateral institutions;
            (2) opportunities for marshaling regional cooperation--
                    (A) to overcome market barriers resulting from the 
                small size of Caribbean energy markets;
                    (B) to address the high transportation and 
                infrastructure costs faced by Caribbean countries;
                    (C) to ensure greater donor coordination between 
                governments, multilateral institutions, multilateral 
                banks, and private investors; and
                    (D) to expand regional financing opportunities to 
                allow for lower cost energy entrepreneurship;
            (3) measures to encourage each Caribbean government to 
        ensure that it has--
                    (A) an independent utility regulator or equivalent;
                    (B) affordable access by third party investors to 
                its electrical grid with minimal regulatory 
                interference;
                    (C) effective energy efficiency and energy 
                conservation;
                    (D) programs to address technical and nontechnical 
                issues;
                    (E) a plan to eliminate major market distortions;
                    (F) cost-reflective tariffs; and
                    (G) no tariffs or other taxes on clean energy 
                solutions; and
            (4) recommendations for how United States policy, 
        technical, and economic assistance can be used in the Caribbean 
        region--
                    (A) to advance renewable energy development and the 
                incorporation of renewable technologies into existing 
                energy grids and the development and deployment of 
                micro-grids where appropriate and feasible;
                    (B) to create regional financing opportunities to 
                allow for lower cost energy entrepreneurship;
                    (C) to deploy transaction advisors in the region to 
                help attract private investment and break down any 
                market or regulatory barriers; and
                    (D) to establish a mechanism for each host 
                government to have access to independent legal advice--
                            (i) to speed the development of energy-
                        related contracts; and
                            (ii) to better protect the interests of 
                        Caribbean governments and their citizens.

    TITLE II--PROMOTING REGIONAL SECURITY AND DIGITAL SECURITY, AND 
                PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AMERICAS

SEC. 201. ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF TELECOM AND DATA NETWORKS AND 
              CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) allegations of espionage, intellectual property theft, 
        hacking, and unscrupulous business practices often accompany 
        the entrance of Chinese companies into a region;
            (2) the United States Government should assist Latin 
        American and Caribbean governments and businesses in developing 
        their own digital telecommunications networks to render them 
        less susceptible to Chinese malfeasance; and
            (3) strengthening and implementing intellectual property 
        and cyber governance laws will boost innovation in the Latin 
        America and the Caribbean.
    (b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of State, working through 
the Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues of the Department of 
State, and in consultation with the Attorney General, the Director of 
the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Chief of the International 
Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission shall offer to provide 
technical assistance to partner governments in Latin America and the 
Caribbean to strengthen their capacity to promote digital security, 
including--
            (1) defending the integrity of digital infrastructure and 
        digital assets, including data storage systems, such as Cloud 
        computing, proprietary data, personal information, and 
        proprietary technologies;
            (2) detecting, identifying, and investigating cybercrimes, 
        including the collection of digital forensic evidence;
            (3) developing appropriate enforcement mechanisms for 
        cybercrimes;
            (4) detecting and identifying perpetrators; and
            (5) prosecuting cybercrimes and holding perpetrators 
        accountable for such crimes.
    (c) Prioritization.--The Secretary of State, in providing the 
technical assistance described in subsection (b), shall prioritize 
working with national and regional law enforcement entities, 
including--
            (1) police forces;
            (2) public prosecutors;
            (3) attorneys general;
            (4) courts; and
            (5) other law enforcement and civilian intelligence 
        entities, as appropriate.
    (d) Cyber Defense Assistance.--The Secretary of State, in 
coordination with the Commander of the United States Cyber Command and 
the Director of National Intelligence, shall offer to provide technical 
assistance to strengthen the capacity of partner governments in Latin 
America and the Caribbean--
            (1) to protect the integrity of their telecom and data 
        networks and their critical infrastructure;
            (2) to build and monitor secure telecom and data networks;
            (3) to identify cyber threats and detect and deter cyber 
        attacks;
            (4) to investigate cyber crimes, including the collection 
        of digital forensic evidence;
            (5) to protect the integrity of digital infrastructure and 
        digital assets, including data storage systems (including Cloud 
        computing), proprietary data, personal information, and 
        proprietary technologies;
            (6) to plan maintenance, improvements, and modernization in 
        a coordinated and regular fashion so as to ensure continuity 
        and safety; and
            (7) to protect the digital systems that manage roads, 
        bridges, ports, and transportation hubs.
    (e) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the 
Secretary of State shall provide a briefing regarding the technical 
assistance described in subsection (b) and (d) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
            (4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives;
            (5) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (6) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
        Representatives.

SEC. 202. ADDRESSING THE RISKS THAT PERVASIVE SURVEILLANCE AND 
              MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES POSE TO HUMAN RIGHTS.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) According to a 2018 report by Freedom House--
                    (A) China has stepped up efforts to use digital 
                media to increase its own power, both inside and 
                outside of China;
                    (B) in 2018, for the second year in a row, China 
                was the worst abuser of internet freedom, and during 
                that year, the Government of China hosted media 
                officials from dozens of countries for 2- and 3-week 
                seminars on its sprawling system of censorship and 
                surveillance;
                    (C) Chinese companies have supplied 
                telecommunications hardware, advanced facial-
                recognition technology, and data analytics tools to a 
                variety of governments with poor human rights records, 
                which could benefit Chinese intelligence services and 
                repressive local authorities; and
                    (D) China's Belt and Road Initiative includes a 
                ``Digital Silk Road'' of Chinese-built fiber-optic 
                networks that could expose internet traffic to greater 
                monitoring by local and Chinese intelligence agencies, 
                given that China is determined to set the technical 
                standards for how the next generation of traffic is 
                coded and transmitted.
            (2) As part of its engagement with Latin American and 
        Caribbean governments, China has begun promoting the 
        installation of pervasive surveillance camera systems, under 
        the pretext of citizen security, in Bolivia, Ecuador, and 
        Venezuela, to be financed, designed, installed, and maintained 
        by companies linked to the Government of China.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) China is exporting its model for internal security and 
        state control of society through advanced technology and 
        artificial intelligence; and
            (2) the adoption of surveillance systems can lead to 
        breaches of citizens' private information, increased 
        censorship, violations of civil rights, and harassment of 
        political opponents.
    (c) Diplomatic Engagement.--The Secretary of State shall conduct 
diplomatic engagement with governments in Latin America and the 
Caribbean--
            (1) to help officials identify and mitigate the risks to 
        civil liberties posed by pervasive surveillance and monitoring 
        technologies; and
            (2) to offer recommendations on ways to mitigate such 
        risks.
    (d) Internet Freedom Programs.--The Chief Executive Officer of the 
United States Agency for Global Media, working through the Open 
Technology Fund, and the Secretary of State, working through the Bureau 
of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor's office of Internet Freedom and 
Business and Human Rights, shall expand and prioritize efforts to 
provide anti-censorship technology and services to journalists and 
citizens in Latin America, in order to enhance their ability to safely 
access or share digital news and information without fear of 
repercussions or surveillance.
    (e) Support for Civil Society.--The Secretary of State, acting 
through the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, 
and Labor, and in coordination with the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development, shall work through 
nongovernmental organizations--
            (1) to support and promote programs that support internet 
        freedom and the free flow of information online in Latin 
        America and the Caribbean;
            (2) to protect open, secure, and reliable access to the 
        internet in Latin America and the Caribbean;
            (3) to provide integrated support to civil society for 
        technology, digital safety, policy and advocacy, and applied 
        research programs in Latin America and the Caribbean;
            (4) to train journalists and civil society leaders in Latin 
        America and the Caribbean on investigative techniques necessary 
        to ensure public accountability and prevent government 
        overreach in the digital sphere; and
            (5) to assist independent media outlets and journalists in 
        Latin America and the Caribbean to build their own capacity and 
        develop high-impact, in-depth news reports covering governance 
        and human rights topics.
    (f) Briefing Requirement.--Not more than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary 
of State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development, and the Chief Executive Officer of the 
United States Agency for Global Media shall provide a briefing 
regarding the efforts described in subsections (c), (d), and (e) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 to carry out the activities 
        set forth in subsection (e).
            (2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification 
        requirements applicable to expenditures from--
                    (A) the Economic Support Fund under section 531(c) 
                of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
                2346(c)); and
                    (B) the Development Assistance Fund under section 
                653(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
                2413(a)).

SEC. 203. REVITALIZING BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL MILITARY EDUCATION 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall dedicate not less 
than 17 percent of the amounts appropriated to bilateral and 
multilateral military education programs, such as the International 
Military Education and Training program, for Latin America and the 
Caribbean during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (b) Modernization.--The Secretary of State shall take steps to 
modernize and strengthen the programs receiving funding under 
subsection (a)--
            (1) to ensure that such programs are vigorous, substantive, 
        and the preeminent choice for international military education 
        and training for Latin American and Caribbean partners.
    (c) Required Elements.--The programs referred to under subsection 
(a) shall--
            (1) provide training and capacity-building opportunities to 
        Latin American and Caribbean security services;
            (2) provide practical skills and frameworks for--
                    (A) improving the functioning and organization of 
                security services in Latin America and the Caribbean;
                    (B) creating a better understanding of the United 
                States and its values; and
                    (C) using technology for maximum efficiency and 
                organization; and
            (3) promote and ensure that security services in Latin 
        America and the Caribbean operate in compliance with 
        international norms, standards, and rules of engagement, 
        including a respect for human rights, democracy, and civilian 
        control.
    (d) Limitation.--Security assistance under this section is subject 
to the limitations set forth in section 620M of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d).

TITLE III--ADVANCING THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE 
                               CARIBBEAN

SEC. 301. COUNTERACTING GROWING CHINESE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL 
              INFLUENCE IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN.

    (a) Finding.--According to a report by the National Endowment for 
Democracy--
            (1) China has spent the equivalent of billions of dollars 
        to shape public opinion and perceptions around the world 
        through thousands of people-to-people exchanges, cultural 
        activities, educational programs, and the development of media 
        enterprises and information initiatives with global reach;
            (2) the aim of Chinese influence efforts is intended to 
        distract and manipulate the political and information 
        environments in targeted countries; and
            (3) the countries most vulnerable to Chinese efforts are 
        those in which democratic institutions are weak.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that China's 
efforts to mold public opinion and influence educational institutions 
on the issues described in subsection (a) undermines United States 
influence in Latin America and the Caribbean and threaten democratic 
institutions and practices in the region.
    (c) Strategy.--The Secretary of State, acting through the Assistant 
Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, and in 
coordination with the Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of 
Economic Growth, Education, and Environment at the United States Agency 
for International Development, shall devise a strategy--
            (1) to expand existing programs and, as necessary, design 
        and implement educational, professional, and cultural exchanges 
        and other programs to create and sustain mutual understanding 
        with other countries necessary to advance United States foreign 
        policy goals by cultivating people-to-people ties among current 
        and future global leaders that build enduring networks and 
        personal relationships and promote United States national 
        security and values, including the expansion of exchange 
        visitor programs, such as international visitor leadership 
        programs and professional capacity building programs that 
        prioritize building skills in entrepreneurship, promoting 
        transparency, and technology;
            (2) to expand and strengthen existing programs, and, as 
        necessary, design and implement basic and higher education 
        programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, in accordance with 
        the United States Strategy on International Basic Education and 
        the United States Agency for International Development 
        Education Policy, to enable all young adults, youth, and 
        children to acquire the quality education and skills needed to 
        be productive members in society, which will lead to better 
        health, economic growth, a sustainable environment, and 
        peaceful, democratic societies;
            (3) to dedicate not less than 18 percent of the budget of 
        the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the 
        Department of State to carry out the activities described in 
        paragraph (1); and
            (4) to dedicate not less than 8 percent of the budget of 
        the Education Office of the United States Agency for 
        International Development to carry out the activities described 
        in paragraph (2).
    (d) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the 
Secretary of State, the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational 
and Cultural Affairs, and the Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of 
Economic Growth, Education, and Environment at the United States Agency 
for International Development shall provide a briefing regarding the 
efforts described in subsection (c) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
            (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives.

SEC. 302. ADVANCING THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE MEDIA TO PROMOTE 
              ACCOUNTABILITY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, acting through the 
Assistance Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, 
the Assistant Secretary of State for Education and Cultural Affairs, 
and the Coordinator of the Global Engagement Center, shall expand 
existing initiatives and, as necessary, develop and implement new 
initiatives that facilitate and strengthen the capacity of civil 
society and independent media outlets to increase transparency and 
accountability among government and business leaders.
    (b) Program Elements.--The initiatives under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) training for journalists and civil society leaders on 
        investigative techniques necessary to improve transparency and 
        accountability in government and the private sector;
            (2) training on investigative reporting relating to 
        incidents of corruption and unfair trade, business and 
        commercial practices, including the role of the Government of 
        China in such practices;
            (3) training on investigative reporting relating to efforts 
        the use of misinformation, disinformation, and state media to 
        influence public opinion in Latin America and the Caribbean, 
        including the role of the Government of China in such 
        practices; and
            (4) assistance for nongovernmental organizations to 
        strengthen their capacity to monitor the activities described 
        in paragraphs (2) and (3).
    (c) Consultation.--In developing and implementing the initiatives 
under subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall consult with--
            (1) nongovernmental organizations focused on transparency 
        and combating corruption, such as Transparency International, 
        the Latin American and Caribbean chapters of Transparency 
        International, and similar organizations; and
            (2) media organizations that promote investigative 
        journalism and train organizations in investigative techniques 
        necessary to ensure public accountability, such as ProPublica, 
        the Center for Public Integrity, and the International 
        Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
    (d) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, 
the Secretary of State shall provide a briefing regarding the 
initiatives under subsection (a) to--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        the Secretary of State $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 to 
        carry out the initiatives under subsection (a).
            (2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated 
        pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification 
        requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic 
        Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act 
        of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and the International Narcotics and 
        Law Enforcement Fund under section 489 of the Foreign 
        Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291h), to the extent that 
        such funds are expended.

                    TITLE IV--RESOURCING FOR SUCCESS

SEC. 401. APPOINTMENT OF CHINA ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS AT UNITED STATES 
              EMBASSIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall direct the Chiefs of 
Mission at United States Embassies and Consulates in Latin America and 
the Caribbean, including Cuba, to designate a China Engagement Officer, 
from among existing staff at the Post, to monitor and report on Chinese 
activities related to diplomatic engagement, economic investment, 
critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, surveillance technology, 
digital infrastructure, military and security presence and trainings, 
intelligence activities, educational and cultural exchanges, education, 
and corruption in the respective countries.
    (b) Annual Meeting.--The Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere 
Affairs shall convene an annual meeting (either in person or by video 
conference call) of all of the China Engagement Officers designated 
pursuant to subsection (a)--
            (1) to discuss and compare developments in their individual 
        countries;
            (2) to identify trends in Chinese activities in Latin 
        America and the Caribbean and its subregions; and
            (3) to recommend potential strategies to mitigate or 
        compete with Chinese activities in the region.
    (c) Briefing Requirement.--Concurrent with the annual meeting 
described in subsection (b), China Engagement Officers serving in Latin 
America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, shall brief--
            (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (d) Consultation.--The Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere 
Affairs and the China Engagement Officers designated pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall be available for consultations with the staff of 
the congressional committees referred to in subsection (c).

SEC. 402. ASSESSING STAFFING NEEDS AT UNITED STATES EMBASSIES IN LATIN 
              AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN.

    (a) Staffing Assessment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit the 
assessments and accompanying reports, if necessary, described in 
subsections (b) and (c) to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives.
    (b) Foreign Commercial Service Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State, the Administrator 
        of the United States Agency for International Development, and 
        the Secretary of Commerce shall prepare a written assessment 
        that--
                    (A) determines whether the current staffing levels 
                of the United States Foreign Commercial Service at all 
                United States embassies, diplomatic, and development 
                offices in Latin America and the Caribbean are 
                sufficient to successfully advance United States 
                economic policy in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
                    (B) specifically details the results for each 
                United States embassy, diplomatic, and development 
                office in Latin America and the Caribbean.
            (2) Accompanying report.--If the assessment under paragraph 
        (1) reveals insufficient staffing levels, the Secretary of 
        State, the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development, and the Secretary of Commerce shall 
        submit an accompanying report that--
                    (A) identifies the costs associated with increasing 
                the overseas presence of United States Foreign 
                Commercial Service officers in Latin America and the 
                Caribbean; and
                    (B) includes a timeline and strategy for increasing 
                such staffing levels.
    (c) Public Diplomacy Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State shall prepare a 
        written assessment that--
                    (A) determines whether the current staffing levels 
                of Foreign Service public diplomacy officers at all 
                United States embassies and diplomatic offices in Latin 
                America and the Caribbean are sufficient--
                            (i) to successfully advance United States 
                        national interests; and
                            (ii) to counter misinformation and 
                        disinformation efforts by the Government of 
                        China and the Government of Russia; and
                    (B) specifically details the results for each 
                United States embassy and diplomatic office in Latin 
                America and the Caribbean.
            (2) Accompanying report.--If the assessment under paragraph 
        (1) reveals insufficient staffing levels, the Secretary of 
        State shall submit an accompanying report that--
                    (A) identifies the costs associated with increasing 
                the overseas presence of Foreign Service public 
                diplomacy officers in Latin America and the Caribbean; 
                and
                    (B) includes a timeline and strategy for increasing 
                such staffing levels.
                                 <all>