[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 162 (Monday, November 2, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H7367-H7372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GLOBAL ANTI-POACHING ACT
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2494) to support global anti-poaching efforts, strengthen the
capacity of partner countries to counter wildlife trafficking,
designate major wildlife trafficking countries, and for other purposes,
as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2494
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 ``Global Anti-Poaching Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Poaching and the illicit trade in endangered and
threatened wildlife are among the most lucrative criminal
activities worldwide, worth an estimated $7 to $10 billion
annually.
(2) Poaching and wildlife trafficking have escalated in
scale, sophistication and violence, risking the potential
extinction of some of the world's most iconic species.
(3) Wildlife poaching and trafficking threaten elephants,
rhinoceros, and tigers greatly, but also have devastating
impact on a number of other species, including sharks, great
apes, and turtles.
(4) The high demand for rare wildlife products has driven
prices to historically high levels.
(5) Much of the demand for wildlife products comes from
Asia and is fueled by the perceived medicinal value and
social status associated with these products.
(6) Reporting indicates that a number of rebel groups and
terrorist organizations, including Sudan's Janjaweed militia,
the Lord's Resistance Army, the Seleka rebel movement in the
Central African Republic, and Somalia's al-Shabaab, either
participate in or draw funding from illicit wildlife
trafficking networks.
(7) Analyses suggest the high demand for illegal wildlife
products, combined with weak law enforcement and security
measures and corruption and governance failures, has led to
the increased involvement of transnational organized crime in
wildlife trafficking.
(8) The United Nations Security Council has authorized
multilateral sanctions against individuals and entities
supporting armed groups through the illicit trade in
wildlife, in addition to other natural resources, in the
Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African
Republic.
(9) A National Intelligence Council analysis of wildlife
poaching threats found that certain African government
officials facilitated the movement of wildlife products, and
that these governments' ability to reduce poaching and
trafficking was hindered by corruption and weak rule of law.
(10) On November 13, 2013, the Secretary of State announced
the first reward under the Transnational Organized Crime
Rewards Program for information leading to the dismantling of
the Xaysavang Network, a large wildlife trafficking syndicate
that is based in Laos and spans Africa and Asia.
SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT NETWORKS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Wildlife enforcement networks are government-led,
regionally-focused mechanisms that increase capacity and
coordination efforts between law enforcement, environmental
agencies, and other entities focused on countering wildlife
trafficking of member countries.
(2) Currently there are active wildlife enforcement
networks in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central America.
The more mature wildlife enforcement networks, such as the
Southeast Asia wildlife enforcement network, have proven
effective in dismantling transnational wildlife trafficking
networks and bringing to justice those individuals involved
in the illegal trade of endangered and threatened species.
(3) Efforts are underway to establish additional wildlife
enforcement networks in Central Africa, the Horn of Africa,
South America, and Central and West Asia, among other
regions.
(b) Statement of Policy.--The Secretary of State, the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, the Director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service, and heads of other appropriate agencies
should, in an effort to address regional threats to
biodiversity and conservation, support strengthening existing
wildlife enforcement networks and the establishment of new
networks in other appropriate regions.
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that in
the process of strengthening and expanding wildlife
enforcement networks, the appropriate agencies should--
(1) assess the existing capacity of wildlife enforcement
network member countries to gather baseline data that may be
used for developing program activities for the wildlife
enforcement network;
(2) establish a central secretariat within each wildlife
enforcement network that will coordinate the operational
mechanisms of each such network;
(3) establish a focal mechanism in each member country of a
wildlife enforcement network, that includes representatives
from environmental and wildlife protection agencies, law
enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, customs
and border protection agencies, and the judiciary system,
that will serve as a conduit to the larger wildlife
enforcement network and the central secretariat;
(4) strengthen cooperation and the capacity of law
enforcement agencies of the wildlife enforcement network;
(5) facilitate the sharing of intelligence and relevant
case information within the agencies of a wildlife
enforcement network;
(6) support the cooperation and coordination between
different regional wildlife enforcement networks;
(7) incorporate and utilize expertise from international
bodies and civil society organizations that have appropriate
subject matter expertise;
(8) eventually create an institutionalized, sustainable,
and self-sufficient platform; and
(9) recognize that lawful, well regulated hunting can
contribute to sustainability and economic development, and
that enforcement policies should not discourage or impede
this activity.
SEC. 4. SUPPORTING THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE WILDLIFE
LAW ENFORCEMENT SECTOR.
The Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, the Director of
the
[[Page H7368]]
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and heads of other
appropriate agencies, including the National Park Service and
the United States Forest Service, should, in an effort to
address local and regional threats to biodiversity and
conservation and support the rule of law and good governance,
promote the professionalization of the wildlife law
enforcement sector and professional ranger training in
partner countries through support and technical assistance
for the following:
(1) The creation and adoption of standards for professional
ranger training and qualifications, including in relevant
international fora and multilateral agreements.
(2) Training and accreditation systems based on the
standards described in paragraph (1) that produce
professionally trained and qualified rangers and promote the
overall professionalization of ranger forces, whether through
existing United States institutions, such as International
Law Enforcement Academies, or through partnerships with
national or regional training institutions.
(3) Legal reforms, where necessary, to provide rangers with
authority to detain and arrest suspects, process crime
scenes, present evidence in court, and defend themselves in
life threatening situations.
(4) The development and institutionalization of reward and
promotion systems for rangers based on performance and set
competencies.
(5) The development and institutionalization of national
systems to provide insurance to rangers and their families
and compensation for those rangers killed in the line of
duty.
(6) Cooperation and coordination between local law
enforcement tasked with wildlife or park protection and local
defense forces, where appropriate, including training
opportunities, logistical support, or provision of equipment.
SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF MAJOR WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING COUNTRIES
AND AUTHORITY TO WITHHOLD CERTAIN ASSISTANCE.
(a) Report.--Not later than September 15 of each year, the
Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit to
Congress a report that lists each foreign country determined
to be a major source of wildlife trafficking products or
their derivatives, a major transit point of wildlife
trafficking products or their derivatives, or a major
consumer of wildlife trafficking products or their
derivatives.
(b) Special Designation.--In each report required under
subsection (a), the Secretary of State, in consultation with
the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Commerce,
shall--
(1) designate each country listed in the report that has
failed demonstrably, during the previous 12-month period, to
make substantial efforts to adhere to its obligations under
international agreements relating to endangered or threatened
species; and
(2) include a short justification for each determination
made under paragraph (1).
(c) Withholding of Assistance.--The Secretary of State may
withhold assistance described in subsection (d) with respect
to each foreign country that is specially designated under
subsection (b).
(d) Assistance Described.--The assistance described in this
subsection are sections 516, 524, and 541 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j, 2344, or 2347),
chapter 6 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2348 et seq.), and section 23 of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763).
(e) Notification.--The Secretary of State shall notify--
(1) the government of each foreign country that is listed
in the report required under subsection (a) that the country
has been so listed; and
(2) the government of each foreign country that is
specially designated under subsection (b) and is subject to
the withholding of assistance described in subsection (c).
(f) Reporting Cost Offset.--Section 8 of Public Law 107-245
(50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
(g) Sunset.--This section shall terminate on the date that
is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO
COUNTER WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING AND POACHING IN
AFRICA.
It is the sense of Congress that the United States should
continue to provide defense articles (not including
significant military equipment), defense services, and
related training to appropriate security forces of countries
of Africa for the purposes of countering wildlife trafficking
and poaching.
SEC. 7. UPDATES TO THE FISHERMEN'S PROTECTIVE ACT OF 1967.
Section 8 of the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967 (22
U.S.C. 1978) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, in consultation with
the Secretary of State,'' after ``Secretary of Commerce'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, in consultation with
the Secretary of State,'' before ``finds'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``in consultation with
the Secretary of State,'' after ``, as appropriate,'';
(D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5), and by
inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the
Interior shall each report to the Congress each certification
to the President made by such Secretary under this
subsection, within 15 days after making such
certification.''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by inserting ``in consultation with
the Secretary of State,'' after ``as the case may be,''.
SEC. 8. WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING VIOLATIONS AS PREDICATE OFFENSES
UNDER RACKETEERING AND MONEY LAUNDERING
STATUTES.
(a) Travel Act.--Section 1952 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``or (3)'' and inserting ``(3)''; and
(B) by striking ``of this title and (ii)'' and inserting
the following: ``of this title, or (4) any act that is a
criminal violation of section 9(a)(1) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(a)(1)), section 2203 of
the African Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4223), or
section 7(a) of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of
1994 (16 U.S.C. 5305a(a)), if the endangered or threatened
species, products, items, or substances involved in the
violation and relevant conduct, as applicable, have a total
value of more than $10,000 and (ii)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Use of Amounts From Fines, Forfeitures, and
Restitution Relating to Wildlife Trafficking Violations.--Any
amounts received by the United States as fines, forfeitures
of property or assets, or restitution to the Government for
any violation under this section that involves an unlawful
activity described in subsection (b)(i)(4) shall be
transferred by the Secretary of the Treasury, to the extent
practicable, to the Multinational Species Conservation Fund
and used as provided in advance in appropriations Acts for
the benefit of the species impacted by the applicable
violation.''.
(b) Money Laundering.--Section 1956 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(7)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (F), by adding ``or'' at the end; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) any act or acts constituting a criminal violation of
section 9(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1538(a)(1)), section 2203 of the African Elephant
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4223), or section 7(a) of the
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C.
5305a(a)), if the endangered or threatened species, products,
items, or substances involved in the violation and relevant
conduct, as applicable, have a total value of more than
$10,000;''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(j) Use of Amounts From Civil Penalties, Fines,
Forfeitures, and Restitution Relating to Wildlife Trafficking
Violations.--Any amounts received by the United States as
fines, forfeitures of property or assets, or restitution to
the Government for any violation under this section that
involves an unlawful activity described in subsection
(c)(7)(G) shall be transferred by the Secretary of the
Treasury, to the extent practicable, to the Multinational
Species Conservation Fund and used as provided in advance in
appropriations Acts for the benefit of the species impacted
by the applicable violation.''.
(c) RICO.--Chapter 96 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in section 1961(1)--
(A) by striking ``or (G)'' and inserting ``(G)''; and
(B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end the
following: ``, or (H) any act constituting a criminal
violation of section 9(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(a)(1)), section 2203 of the African
Elephant Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 4223), or section 7(a)
of the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994 (16
U.S.C. 5305a(a)), if the endangered or threatened species,
products, items, or substances involved in the violation and
relevant conduct, as applicable, have a total value of more
than $10,000''; and
(2) in section 1963, by adding at the end the following:
``(n) Use of Amounts From Fines, Forfeitures, and
Restitution Relating to Wildlife Trafficking Violations.--Any
amounts received by the United States as fines, forfeitures
of property or assets, or restitution to the Government for
any violation under section 1962 that is based on
racketeering activity described in section 1961(1)(H) shall
be transferred by the Secretary of the Treasury, to the
extent practicable, to the Multinational Species Conservation
Fund and used as provided in advance in appropriations Acts
for the benefit of the species impacted by the applicable
violation.''.
(d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Use of amounts from fines.--Section 1402(b)(1)(A) of
the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10601(b)(1)(A))
is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) sections 1952(f), 1956(j), and 1963(n) of title 18,
United States Code; and''.
(2) Use of amounts from forfeitures.--Section 524(c)(4)(A)
of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting
before ``or the Postmaster General'' the following: ``or
section 1952(f), 1956(j), or 1963(n) of title 18,''.
[[Page H7369]]
SEC. 9. OTHER ACTIONS RELATING TO WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING
PROGRAMS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State
should dedicate sufficient program resources to--
(1) conduct monitoring and evaluation, with a special
emphasis where feasible on impact evaluations, of wildlife
trafficking programs consistent with the Department of
State's January 2015 Evaluation Policy;
(2) publish program information on wildlife trafficking
programs on the Department of State's Internet website,
``ForeignAssistance.gov'' in a digital format consistent with
the United States commitment to the International Aid
Transparency Initiative (IATI); and
(3) develop and implement a learning agenda to improve the
performance and impact of wildlife trafficking programs and
to share best practices among relevant executive branch
agencies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
{time} 1745
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative to revise and extend their remarks and to include
extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an exchange of letters between
myself and the chairmen of the Natural Resources and Judiciary
Committees.
Mr. Speaker, the very disturbing reality is that some of the world's
most majestic animals have become ``blood currency'' for terrorist
organizations and rebel groups. Some of the same radical organizations
that carry out terror for political purposes get their resources by the
sale of rhino horns and ivory through the slaughter of these animals in
order to fund their terrorist operations. Poachers are taking advantage
of under-equipped and undermanned park rangers. As we watch this play
out across the sub-Saharan continent, they are decimating elephant and
rhino populations and trading their tusks.
In the 1980s, over 1 million African elephants roamed the continent's
forests and savannahs. That is not that long ago. Today, there are less
than 500,000 left. With this explosion in poaching, at these current
rates, in about two decades, they will vanish. The rhino would vanish.
In South Africa, home of the one of the largest rhino populations,
poachers killed an average of 14 rhinos per year in the 1990s and
2000s. Last year, they killed 1,200--the top year on record.
This is bigger than security. This, frankly, is a security issue for
the entire planet. As we watch what is developing with these
organizations, wildlife trafficking is now the most lucrative criminal
activity--certainly, one of the most lucrative--around the world. I saw
an estimate that poaching in Africa is worth $10 billion in annual
income for these radical organizations.
The Foreign Affairs Committee has held several hearings and briefings
in which we learned how nefarious groups like al Shabaab, the
Janjaweed, and Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army benefit from
trafficking in wildlife and trading the ivory for guns. An average-size
tusk is worth 25 cases of fresh ammunition in central Africa. Twenty-
five cases will enable rebel groups to continue to rampage and
terrorize civilian populations.
The U.S. has invested a great deal of resources in trying to bring
stability to the countries where these armed groups operate: Somalia,
Sudan, and the Congo. All of that effort and investment are undermined
when these terrorist organizations and rebel groups find these new
financial lifelines. We remember the situation with blood diamonds.
Well, for the last decade and a half, it has been ivory and rhino
horns.
Mr. Speaker, to address this crisis, the Global Anti-Poaching Act
tackles wildlife trafficking in several ways. This legislation
designates those countries that are ignoring wildlife trafficking and
allows the Secretary of State to withhold security assistance from the
worst offenders.
In some wildlife trafficking cases, foreign governments have been
found complicit. A ``naming and shaming'' of these countries is the
minimum we can do if we are to contend with the poaching explosion. We
know from some of our antitrafficking legislation how much pressure
this does, in fact, put on foreign governments. Countries in Asia that
are driving the demand for wildlife products also come under the
spotlight in this bill.
In the same tactic of naming and shaming that this legislation
establishes, it has been used, as I mentioned, not just with
traffickers, but also in drug trafficking cases. It is a way to force
other countries to become part of the solution, rather than part of the
problem.
To make this big business riskier for those who are involved in it,
the legislation makes wildlife trafficking an offense under
racketeering and money laundering statutes, going after the
international networks that are taking profits out of this. It is the
terrorist organizations on the ground doing the work, but it is the
international criminal syndicates that then move the ivory around the
world. We also have to stop that demand for the ivory.
The legislation directs that any seized assets from these new
penalties go toward the conservation of the very species that were
trafficked. So when moneys are obtained from those involved in the
pipeline, it can be employed for that purpose.
Mr. Speaker, tackling poaching can protect exotic wildlife, increase
security, and help Africa's development. One of the fastest growing
sectors in Africa is ecotourism. In 2014, the industry contributed $70
billion to the African economy and directly employed 8 million people.
These majestic animals drive tourism in Africa. They drive
sustainable development there. But if we don't bring the slaughter to
an end, there might not be any of these animals to see in a few years.
The park rangers on the front lines trying to stop the slaughter at
the hands of poachers are outmaneuvered and outgunned. This bipartisan
legislation will help even out the fight by pressuring the
administration to provide vital security assistance, including vehicles
as well as intelligence and surveillance tools, to these park rangers.
We know the security and economic consequences if today's poaching
rates go on unchecked: terrorist and rebels fund their dangerous
activities, and the African economy takes a major hit. The legislation
before us today is a chance to change this course and to reverse this
course back toward one of sustainable development; back toward one
where, in the future, people from around the globe can go to Africa and
see these magnificent animals and participate in building the economy
through ecotourism in Africa.
I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on the Judiciary.
Washington, DC, October 15, 2015.
Hon. Ed Royce,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing with respect to H.R.
2494, the ``Global Anti-Poaching Act,'' which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs and in addition to the
Committee on the Judiciary. As a result of your having
consulted with us on provisions in H.R. 2494 that fall within
the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, I
agree to discharge our Committee from further consideration
of this bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the
House floor for consideration.
The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual
understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 2494 at
this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our
Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our
Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation, and asks
that you support any such request.
I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 2494 and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in the Congressional Record during Floor
consideration of H.R. 2494.
Sincerely,
Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman.
[[Page H7370]]
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, October 15, 2015.
Hon. Bob Goodlatte,
Chairman, House Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for consulting with the
Committee on Foreign Affairs on H.R. 2494, the Global Anti-
Poaching Act, and for agreeing to be discharged from further
consideration of that bill.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the
Committee on the Judiciary, or prejudice its jurisdictional
prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the
future. I would support your effort to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 2494 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and
look forward to continuing to work with your Committee as
this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, October 15, 2015.
Hon. Edward R. Royce,
Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 2494, the Global
Anti-Poaching Act. This bill contains provisions under the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural Resources.
I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this bill
before the House of Representatives in an expeditious manner,
and accordingly, I will agree that the Committee on Natural
Resources be discharged from further consideration of the
bill. I do so with the understanding that this action does
not affect the jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural
Resources, and that the Committee expressly reserves its
authority to seek conferees on any provision within its
jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference that may be
convened on this, or any similar legislation. I ask that you
support any such request.
Finally, I also ask that a copy of this letter and your
response be included in the Congressional Record during
consideration of H.R. 2494 on the House floor.
Thank you for your work on this bill and I look forward to
its enactment.
Sincerely,
Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, October 15, 2015.
Hon. Rob Bishop,
Chairman, House Committee on Natural Resources, Washington,
DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for consulting with the
Committee on Foreign Affairs on H.R. 2494, the Global Anti-
Poaching Act, and for agreeing to be discharged from further
consideration of that bill.
I agree that your forgoing further action on this measure
does not in any way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Natural Resources, or prejudice its
jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or similar
legislation in the future. I would support your effort to
seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any
House-Senate conference involving this legislation.
I will seek to place our letters on H.R. 2494 into the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation and
look forward to continuing to work with your Committee as
this measure moves through the legislative process.
Sincerely,
Edward R. Royce,
Chairman.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure.
I want to, first of all, thank my friend, the chairman of the Foreign
Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, for authoring the Global Anti-Poaching
Act. I am very proud to be an original cosponsor. This bill, again, is
a good example of our committee working across the aisle to get real
results.
On average, one elephant is killed every 20 minutes. That is just a
shocking statistic. So in the 40 minutes we have to debate this bill,
two elephants will be killed. Last year, the toll was 20,000. It is
just disgusting.
And make no mistake, these animals aren't being killed for sport. No
matter how you feel about big game hunting, the real reason elephants
and other iconic animals are being wiped out is far more sinister, and
it is why this issue deserves the attention of Congress and the
administration. Those responsible for poaching are profiting from their
crimes by selling ivory or rhinoceros horns or cheetah pelts.
Where do these profits go? These profits go to buy weapons for
violent, armed militias, to bribe government officials and law
enforcement, and to fuel criminal networks. In short, poaching pumps
resources into groups that threaten security and stability, groups that
want to do harm to innocent people and want to do harm to the United
States of America. That is why Chairman Royce and I view wildlife
trafficking as a security issue, and that is why we introduced the
Global Anti-Poaching Act.
Our bill would bring wildlife trafficking under money laundering and
racketeering statutes that are already part of our law. It would
support the professionalization of wildlife law enforcement units on
the ground and allow us to provide them nonlethal assistance. It would
strengthen regional Wildlife Enforcement Networks designed to combat
poaching, and it would name and shame governments that aren't taking
this problem seriously.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to highlight the excellent work of the
Wildlife Conservation Society from my hometown, Bronx, New York. The
Wildlife Conservation Society runs the Bronx Zoo and many other
cultural institutions in New York City. They have been actively
fighting poaching and trafficking for many years. They have been on the
forefront of the American fight against poaching and trafficking. It is
a pleasure to work with them on this and so many other issues.
I, of course, have longstanding ties with one of their leaders, John
Calvelli, who used to be my chief of staff in Washington--he ran my
Washington office--so I know how dedicated this group is.
We need to crack down on wildlife trafficking, both to deny resources
to dangerous organizations and to protect some of the world's most
iconic creatures.
People may feel: Well, if I just buy a little ivory doll or I buy
something made out of ivory, how can that hurt? After all, it is there.
It may be cute. It may be trendy. What is wrong with it? I will tell
you what is wrong with it. It funnels and aids and abets terrorism,
because these groups that sell the tusks and sell the ivory are, by and
large, groups that get the money back and use it to force terror.
People who are buying these things are not buying some innocent
things; they are buying things that help terrorist organizations. Just
like we have the fight with the artifacts that are coming in from Syria
that ISIS takes and loots and then sells abroad to help finance their
terrorist activities, the same thing is true for ivory and the same
reasons are being used: It is being done to funnel this money towards
helping sinister groups, many of whom are terrorist organizations.
So I urge my colleagues to support this bill. This is a very
important bill. I thank my friend and partner, Chairman Royce.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to recognize Mr. Engel's
commitment to conservation on this planet and to his work on this
legislation as well.
I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), chairman of
the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and
Trade. He is an original cosponsor of this bill.
Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the chairman for yielding. I also thank the
chairman and ranking member for their work on this very important piece
of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, around the world, big game like elephant and rhinos are
getting slaughtered. Ivory-seeking poachers have killed 100,000
elephants in 3 years. The black rhino population has dropped 95 percent
since the early 20th century. In 2007, there were 12 rhinos killed in
South Africa; but in 2013 and 2014, over 1,000 were killed each year.
Regarding elephants, this is a photograph of one of the oldest
elephants in existence. Satao was his name. He was in his forties. He
was killed for his tusks. They were so long, they drug on the ground.
That is what is happening to the elephant population in Africa. They
are killed not for their meat; they are killed for their tusks.
Most of the people doing the poaching are really not the locals who
poach for an animal to eat. That is not most of the poaching, although
that does occur.
Most of those doing the poaching are transnational criminal
organizations.
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The criminal groups come from places like China and Vietnam. China is
the number one destination for elephant tusks. Vietnam is the number
one world destination for rhino horns.
Criminal cartels that are involved in this trafficking don't just
traffic wildlife. They traffic drugs, weapons, and people. It is all
the same group of criminals that are trafficking. They traffic anything
for money.
The wildlife trafficking trade has exploded in recent years because
the criminals understand that profits they get from trafficking
wildlife are bigger than what they get for trafficking drugs.
{time} 1800
Also, the chances of getting caught are less and, if caught, the
punishment is less. So that is why wildlife trafficking is on the
increase.
A rhino horn is now worth about $27,000 per pound. That is twice the
value of gold and platinum and more than cocaine and diamonds.
It should come as no surprise that terrorist groups are involved in
this as well. I held a hearing in my subcommittee in February on the
connection between wildlife trafficking and terrorist groups. The
witnesses testified that terrorists are one of several groups involved
in wildlife trafficking. And, of course, they do it all for the money.
They use the money, as Mr. Engel said, to buy bullets and guns to cause
terror in Africa and other places in the world.
Just over the weekend, al Qaeda's Somali affiliate, Al-Shabaab,
released photographs of its fighters hunting and killing a giraffe.
Here is a photograph of that giraffe that was killed in Africa. It is a
recruiting poster for jihad.
Al-Shabaab put this on its recruiting poster. This recent video says:
Terrorism is in my nation, and we do it for tourism. Therefore, come
and help us in jihad. That is a recruiting poster, the killing of
wildlife in Africa.
Killing of elephants is a main revenue source for the Lord's
Resistance Army, led by the infamous Joseph Kony.
By going after wildlife traffickers, we are going after transnational
criminal organizations and terrorists.
But we also must call out, as this legislation does, corrupt
government officials that give a wink and a nod for allowing the
poaching, in their countries, of rhinos, elephants, and others.
This isn't just a wildlife problem. It is a national security
problem. This bill will give our law enforcement the authority it needs
to be able to go after criminals and terrorists and help foreign
governments save rhinos and elephants from extinction.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.
Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if we don't stop wildlife trafficking
of rhinos, elephants, and other animals by terrorist groups, for
organized criminal activities, the only places our kids and grandkids
are going to see rhinos and elephants are at the zoo or in a Disney
cartoon.
And that is just the way it is.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Again, let me thank Chairman Royce for his leadership on this issue,
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), and all of the people that have
worked so hard on this.
We need to be creative in the way we go after financing for violent
groups. If nothing is done, I believe the statistic is that, in 11
years, elephants will be extinct in the wild. Isn't that a tragedy? Who
would have thought? So we need to be creative in the way we go after
the financing for violent groups.
Mr. Poe pointed out some very, very important things about terrorism
and criminal activities. So, again, I want to say that, when people buy
these things, it is not innocent. They are aiding terrorism, and they
are aiding criminality.
We need to use every tool at our disposal, so this legislation does
that by going after a critical source of funding for criminals and
terrorists. At the same time, it will help to preserve some of the
world's most imperiled animals.
Again, I urge all my colleagues to support this measure. I thank
Chairman Royce for his hard work on this and so many other things. This
is something that everyone needs to support.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, part of the tragedy of this can be seen in
what happened in Garissa National Park in Africa. The jihadists hit
that park in order to take those tusks, in order to get that hard
currency and trade those tusks for weapons and for bullets, and then
used that weaponry to turn on Garissa University.
Now, remember, these are jihadists. The one thing that Al-Shabaab has
in common with the Janjaweed and with these other jihadi organizations
is a hatred--just as Boko Haram has this hatred--a hatred of those who
study.
So what did they do? What did they do when they had their hands on
those weapons? They then went to Garissa University and slaughtered 145
students after slaughtering the elephants in the parks.
There is a direct link when jihadi organizations, as Judge Ted Poe
shared with you, carried out these attacks to recruit, to show that
they have got the power to kill, that they have got the power to
exterminate, to annihilate not just these animal species but human
beings as well.
Mr. Speaker, time is not on our side. Each day of inaction means more
animals poached, and the coffers of terrorist organizations and rebels
grow full because the criminal syndicates that buy the ivory give them
the weapons and give them the money. That has to come to an end.
Since the time we started this debate, as Mr. Engel pointed out, two
elephants have already been poached, have been slaughtered, because one
is killed every 15 minutes in Africa.
It is quite possible, as Mr. Engel said and as Mr. Poe alluded, that
our children could grow up in a world without rhinoceros, without
elephants, and it is no exaggeration. Certainly the forest elephant is
going to be wiped out; the black rhino is going to be wiped out.
Do we want to live in that kind of a world? Do we want to allow that
to happen on our watch?
The Global Anti-Poaching Act combats today's unprecedented levels of
poaching and wildlife trafficking by holding foreign governments
accountable, by adding greater consequences for traffickers in this
illicit trade, while also assisting those park rangers on the ground
who, frankly, need our help, need the help of our intelligence
services, need our satellites and other capabilities, and need a better
way in which to defend themselves and those parklands across Africa.
Some years ago, myself and another Member of this body authored
legislation to help set up these national parks across Africa, the
Congo Basin Forest Partnership Act, which Clay Shaw and I authored.
But today these terrorist organizations are in the parklands
themselves, slaughtering these species.
I would like to thank the Members that have been involved in putting
this together and, also, some from the other committees that assisted
us, like Chairman Goodlatte of the Judiciary Committee and Chairman
Bishop of the Natural Resources Committee, for their constructive input
and assistance in getting this legislation to the floor.
And, of course, I would like, in closing, to recognize, again,
Ranking Member Engel and Representatives Poe, Smith, and Bass for their
valuable contributions.
I urge all my colleagues to seize this opportunity and vote for H.R.
2494 and then help us bring a little pressure to bear to get this bill
out of the Senate.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GRAYSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reiterate a point I made
during the Foreign Affairs Committee markup of the Global Anti-Poaching
Act, H.R. 2494, which is being considered on the House floor today.
At the markup in June, I offered a very specific amendment to this
bill that would simply ensure that nothing in Section 6 of this Act
shall be construed to authorize the use of the United States Armed
Forces in combat activities. Since that time, I am happy to see that
the Chairman has amended the text of this legislation to reflect my
concerns.
I think it is important to state, once again, that this bill does not
authorize the use of U.S. forces in combat activities as a result of
fighting poaching. At markup the Chairman assured me that nothing in
this bill could be construed to authorize such a combat activity, and
the amended text of this bill does more to ensure that is the case.
We all know that poaching is a very serious problem and I believe
this bill is a constructive
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step toward combating that evil. I applaud Chairman Royce for his work
on this important legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2494, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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