[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 111 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6104-H6106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NORTHERN BORDER COUNTERNARCOTICS STRATEGY ACT OF 2010

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4748) to amend the Office of National Drug Control 
Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require a northern border 
counternarcotics strategy, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4748

       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 ``Northern Border 
     Counternarcotics Strategy Act of 2010''.

     SEC. 2. NORTHERN BORDER COUNTERNARCOTICS STRATEGY.

       The Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization 
     Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-469) is amended by inserting 
     after section 1110 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 1110A. REQUIREMENT FOR NORTHERN BORDER 
                   COUNTERNARCOTICS STRATEGY.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this section, and every two years 
     thereafter, the Director of National Drug Control Policy 
     shall submit to Congress a Northern Border Counternarcotics 
     Strategy.
       ``(b) Purposes.--The Northern Border Counternarcotics 
     Strategy shall--
       ``(1) set forth the Government's strategy for preventing 
     the illegal trafficking of drugs across the international 
     border between the United States and Canada, including 
     through ports of entry and between ports of entry on that 
     border;
       ``(2) state the specific roles and responsibilities of the 
     Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security 
     (including the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement), and 
     other relevant National Drug Control Program agencies (as 
     defined in section 702 of the Office of National Drug Control 
     Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 (21 U.S.C. 1701)) for 
     implementing that strategy; and
       ``(3) identify the specific resources required to enable 
     the agencies described in paragraph (2) to implement that 
     strategy.
       ``(c) Specific Content Related to Cross-Border Indian 
     Reservations.--The Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy 
     shall include--
       ``(1) a strategy to end the illegal trafficking of drugs 
     through Indian reservations on or near the international 
     border between the United States and Canada; and
       ``(2) recommendations for additional assistance to tribal 
     law enforcement agencies with respect to such strategy.
       ``(d) Consultation Required.--The Director shall issue the 
     Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy in consultation 
     with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, and the heads of other relevant National Drug 
     Control Program agencies, and, with respect to subsection 
     (c), the leaders of the affected Indian tribes.
       ``(e) Limitation.--The Northern Border Counternarcotics 
     Strategy shall not change existing agency authorities or the 
     laws governing interagency relationships, but may include 
     recommendations about changes to such authorities or laws.
       ``(f) Report to Congress.--The Director shall provide a 
     copy of the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy to the 
     appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 
     702 of the Office of National Drug Control Policy 
     Reauthorization Act of 1998 (21 U.S.C. 1701)), and to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
       ``(g) Treatment of Classified or Law Enforcement Sensitive 
     Information.--Any content of the Northern Border 
     Counternarcotics Strategy that involves information 
     classified under criteria established by an Executive order, 
     or whose public disclosure, as determined by the Director or 
     the head of any relevant National Drug Control Program 
     agency, would be detrimental to the law enforcement or 
     national security activities of any Federal, State, local, or 
     tribal agency, shall be presented to Congress separately from 
     the rest of the Strategy.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. 
Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy 
Act of 2010, amends the Office of National Drug Control Policy 
Reauthorization Act of 2006 to require that the director of the 
National Drug Control Policy submit to Congress a Northern Border 
Counternarcotics Strategy.
  The United States' northern border with Canada is the longest open 
border in the world, spanning 12 States and over 4,000 miles.
  President Obama's recently released Drug Control Strategy describes 
an increasing amount of drug trafficking and related criminal activity 
occurring near the Canadian border, including on Indian reservations in 
that area.
  According to a 2010 National Drug Threat Assessment, the amount of 
drug commonly known as ``ecstasy'' being seized at the northern border 
has increased almost 600 percent between 2004 and 2009.
  The Office of National Drug Control Policy has developed a 
comprehensive strategy for addressing drugs coming across the southwest 
border. Congress supported this effort with a directive contained in 
the 2006 reauthorization bill.
  The bill before us extends that directive to our northern border to 
help bring focus to the efforts to curb illegal drug trafficking and 
related crimes on the international border between the United States 
and Canada.
  As with the southern border strategy, the northern border strategy 
will detail the specific rules and coordinate the efforts of law 
enforcement agencies, including the ONDCP, the Justice Department, and 
the Homeland Security Departments.
  In addition, H.R. 4748 brings in Indian tribes with reservations on 
or near the Canadian border for a consulting role in implementing the 
strategy on the reservations.
  I would like to commend our colleague, the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Owens), whose district spans 250 miles along the border, along the 
St.

[[Page H6105]]

Lawrence River and Lake Erie, for his leadership in this important 
legislation.
  I would also like to thank the chairman of the Homeland Security 
Committee, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), for his 
assistance in bringing this bill to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act requires 
the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, ONDCP, to 
develop a counternarcotics strategy for the U.S. Canadian border.
  Given the escalating drug violence in Mexico, many may think that 
illegal drug trafficking only occurs across our southwestern border. 
And while the lion's share of cocaine and heroin is smuggled into 
America from Mexico, the U.S. Canadian border is a major transit point 
for high-potency marijuana, ecstasy and other illegal drugs.
  This is not something new. Several years ago, when I was chairman of 
a subcommittee on the Committee on Homeland Security, we held a hearing 
in our northwestern area, that is, on our U.S. Canadian border on the 
west side of the country, and at that time it was pointed out to us the 
major trafficking in what was known as ``BC Bud,'' a high-grade 
marijuana coming out of British Columbia, also large amounts of money 
from the United States crossing over into Canada, and a serious number 
of weapons transiting across our common border.
  It's gotten even worse since then. According to the 2010 National 
Drug Threat Assessment, the Asian drug trafficking organizations are 
responsible for the resurgence of ecstasy in the U.S. since 2005. And 
these organizations produce the drug in Canada and then smuggle it 
across our northern border.
  The U.S./Canadian border is remote, heavily wooded, and sparsely 
populated, ideal for smugglers seeking to move their product into the 
U.S. without being detected. These conditions have led to some 
creative, even brazen, trafficking methods.
  For instance, in Operation Frozen Timber, led by Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement in 2006, six smugglers were caught transporting 
marijuana and cocaine across the border using helicopters. One smuggler 
touted the operation as being even better than FedEx because ``they 
delivered anywhere in Washington State.''
  Operation Iron Curtain, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, 
resulted in charges against 45 suspects involved in trafficking 
approximately $250 million worth of high-grade hydroponic marijuana 
into the U.S. annually.
  America's Indian reservations along the Canadian border are also 
exploited by drug smugglers. Roughly 20 percent of the high-potency 
marijuana grown in Canada is smuggled across the St. Regis Mohawk 
Reservation in upstate New York.
  In 2006, Congress directed the ONDCP to prepare a counternarcotics 
strategy for our southwestern border. H.R. 4748 mirrors this 
requirement to produce a strategy for the northern border. The bill 
requires coordination with the Departments of Justice and Homeland 
Security, as well as other relevant Federal agencies.
  This legislation will help ensure a cohesive approach to combating 
drug smuggling across our border with Canada. While we continue to 
address drug trafficking across our southwestern border, we cannot and 
must not lose sight of the ease by which our northern border can be 
exploited by dangerous drug smugglers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens), whose district 
borders Canada.

                              {time}  1440

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Conyers and Chairman 
Thompson for their leadership and for bringing H.R. 4748 to the floor.
  I do live along the Canadian border, and much of my district contains 
a broad swath of Indian reservation and much of the timber lands that 
were described by my colleague from California.
  Our northern border with Canada spans over 4,000 miles, the longest 
open border in the world. The livelihoods of thousands of workers and 
their families in Upstate New York depend on a stable trading 
relationship with our northern neighbor. In my district alone, we saw 
more than $677 million worth of goods exported to Canada in 2008. 
Nearly 20,000 jobs depend on this trading relationship.
  Since coming into office in November, I have met with officials from 
local and Federal law enforcement, members of the trade community, and 
small business owners from my district. Immediately before coming to 
the floor, I was with a number of ICE agents who were discussing this 
very problem. One issue that nearly every one of them has mentioned to 
me is the importance of a safe and secure northern border that can 
ensure the movement of people and goods. Whether it's Canadian tourists 
who have driven to Upstate New York for dinner or a manufacturing plant 
that imports its raw materials from Canada, New York has benefited for 
decades from a robust business relationship across international 
borders, and any illegal activity that takes place on our border 
threatens that relationship.
  Organized criminal elements are increasingly exploiting the northern 
border to traffic narcotics, illicit cigarettes, firearms, and humans. 
According to the 2010 National Drug Threat Assessment, the amount of 
ecstasy seized at or between northern border ports of entry increased 
594 percent from 2004 to 2009. In 2009, there were 1,100 drug-related 
arrests of adults in New York's north country.
  While our Nation's drug czar has developed a comprehensive strategy 
for dealing with the flow of drugs across the southwest border, dealing 
with this problem at the northern border is currently left up to 
individual law enforcement agencies. The Northern Border 
Counternarcotics Strategy Act will require the Office of National Drug 
Control Policy to develop a comprehensive counternarcotics plan on the 
northern border.
  By passing this legislation, we will be requiring all the relevant 
law enforcement officials at the Federal, State, and local levels to 
come together and start the process of developing a new approach to 
combat this problem. It is vital to both the economic development of 
our region and the safety of our community that we take the steps to 
stop the drug trade across our northern border. I ask my colleagues for 
their support.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I would reiterate 
my remarks, and say that this is a very, very good idea. Hopefully, it 
will pass unanimously.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
from New York and the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Mr. 
Thompson, for their hard work on this bill. It's an extremely important 
bill dealing with narcotics on the northern border. I would hope that 
we would pass the bill.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act of 2010. 
The bill is sponsored by Representative Bill Owens of New York, a 
valued member of the Committee on Homeland Security and a Member 
representing a congressional district along our Nation's northern 
border. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the bill.
  H.R. 4748 would require the Director of National Drug Control Policy, 
in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop and 
submit to Congress a Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy. The 
document will set forth the government's strategy for preventing the 
illegal trafficking of drugs across the U.S.-Canada border; establish 
the responsibilities of the relevant Federal agencies in carrying out 
the strategy; and identify the resources necessary for implementation.
  Having an effective strategy is an essential step in combating 
narcotics smuggling and trafficking along our northern border. Much 
attention is paid to the challenges along our nation's border with 
Mexico, and rightfully so. However, securing the U.S.-Canada border, 
while expediting legitimate trade and travel, is also imperative for 
meaningful border security.
  The bill is not only integral to border security, but is vital for 
economic development in

[[Page H6106]]

New York's North Country and other communities along our border with 
Canada. Thousands of jobs in Upstate New York and elsewhere depend on 
the swift movement of lawful commerce across the northern border, and 
any illicit activity along the border may undermine this robust trading 
relationship. H.R. 4748 will help ensure that the U.S. and Canada 
continue to enjoy the world's largest bilateral trade relationship.
  I commend Representative Owens, a leader on my Committee on northern 
border security issues, for bringing into focus the need for a 
strategic approach to stem the movement of illicit drugs across the 
U.S.-Canadian border, a longstanding northern border security 
challenge. I congratulate Representative Owens on bringing H.R. 4748 to 
the House floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important legislation.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to thank Representative Owens for his work on drafting this 
bill.
  I rise in support of H.R. 4748, the Northern Border Counternarcotics 
Strategy of 2010. This legislation fulfills a critical need by 
mandating that the Administration provide a comprehensive strategy to 
stem the flow of narcotics between the United States and Canada.
  Our northern border with Canada is the longest open border in the 
world. While the Administration has developed a strategy for addressing 
the flow of drugs across the southwest border, our northern border must 
not be forgotten.
  As a cosponsor of this legislation and as the representative of a 
district with nearly 60 miles of international border, I understand the 
critical need to keep our communities safe from the influence of drug 
trafficking.
  It is essential that law enforcement agencies have the tools to 
minimize the influence of narcotics trafficking. In Washington state, 
Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) have consistently used the I-5 
corridor to distribute meth, cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana from 
Canada into our local communities.
  It is vital that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) 
work with the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive 
northern border counternarcotics strategy to ensure our local 
communities have the necessary resources to combat this illicit 
activity.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4748, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________