[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 111 (Thursday, September 8, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9846-S9847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CORNYN:
  S 1642. A bill to prohibit narco-terrorists from aiding and 
supporting terrorists and terrorist organizations; to the Committee on 
the Judiciary.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Narco-
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2005. This bill confronts the new reality 
and very real danger of the deadly mix of drug trafficking and 
terrorism.
  Many of the State Department's designated Foreign Terrorist 
Organizations are involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs--that 
is, illegal drugs that end up on the streets of cities throughout our 
country and other countries and poison the fabric of our society, our 
children, our families, and our neighbors. Terrorists, like the old 
organized crime syndicates from the past, have recognized that illegal 
drug trafficking is a valuable source of financing and another way to 
threaten our country.
  The evidence linking these two criminal activities is overwhelming: 
terrorists in Afghanistan have been infiltrating and controlling the 
cultivation of poppies, and ultimately heroin; media reports indicate 
that the deadly Spain bombings were financed by drug money; the 
Hezbollah has been linked to drug trafficking; and of course, the 
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or the FARC, has long-standing 
drug trafficking operations which fund their deadly activities.
  Narco-terrorism takes many forms, all of which are deadly. Before 
September 11, the term called to mind Pablo Escobar, the classic 
cocaine trafficker who used terrorist tactics against citizens and 
officials to protect his drug trade. Post 9/11, governments now find 
themselves combating classic terrorist groups that participate in, or 
otherwise receive funds from, drug trafficking in order to further 
their agenda. But whether narco-terrorists are actual drug traffickers 
who use terrorism against civilians to advance their agenda, or are 
principally terrorists who out of convenience or necessity use drug 
money to further their cause, the label of narco-terrorist may be 
equally applicable to both groups, and the full force of U.S. law 
should be brought to bear on these organizations.
  My State is experiencing the collateral effects of a drug war being 
carried out by modern day narco-terrorists in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. 
News reports have described an ongoing battle between rival drug 
cartels over drug smuggling routes from Mexico into the United States. 
These organizations assassinate police officers and other government 
officials in a clear attempt to force the local government in Nuevo 
Laredo to allow these organizations to carry on their illegal activity, 
unimpeded. Our government needs every available tool at its disposal to 
combat this activity.
  The legislation I introduce today creates a new Federal crime 
designed to punish the trafficking of controlled substances which are 
intended to benefit a foreign terrorist organization or any one else 
planning a terrorist attack. It also carries a stiff, mandatory-minimum 
penalty of 20 years for anyone convicted. Importantly, the Narco-
Terrorism Prevention Act provides for extraterritorial jurisdiction 
which allows law enforcement to reach beyond our borders to arrest and 
deter those who intend to carry out a crime of this nature.
  This bill says that whether you are a member of or assisting a drug 
cartel along the border that employs terrorist tactics to protect its 
drug trade, or you are assisting international terrorists with the 
proceeds from drug transactions, this bill targets you. This bill puts 
you on notice that our government has the authority to arrest you and, 
when apprehended, you will face a lengthy, and perhaps permanent, stay 
in prison.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. HARKIN (for himself and Mr. Leahy):
  S. 1643. A bill to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with 
additional authority and funding to provide emergency relief, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to victims of 
Hurricane Katrina and related conditions; to the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

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