[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 93 (Monday, June 13, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H3724-H3727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES-CARIBBEAN STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT ACT OF 2016
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 4939) to increase engagement with the governments of the
Caribbean region, the Caribbean diaspora community in the United
States, and the private sector and civil society in both the United
States and the Caribbean, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4939
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 ``United States-Caribbean
Strategic Engagement Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
Congress declares that it is the policy of the United
States to increase engagement with the governments of the
Caribbean region, the Caribbean diaspora community in the
United States, and the private sector and civil society in
both the United States and the Caribbean in a concerted
effort to--
(1) enhance diplomatic relations between the United States
and the Caribbean region;
(2) increase economic cooperation between the United States
and the Caribbean region;
(3) support regional economic, political, and security
integration efforts in the Caribbean region;
(4) encourage sustainable economic development and
increased regional economic diversification and global
competitiveness;
(5) reduce levels of crime and violence, curb the
trafficking of illicit drugs, strengthen the rule of law, and
improve citizen security;
(6) improve energy security by increasing access to
diverse, reliable, affordable, and sustainable power;
(7) advance cooperation on democracy and human rights in
the Caribbean region and at multilateral fora; and
(8) continue support for public health advances and
cooperation on health concerns and threats to the Caribbean
region.
SEC. 3. STRATEGY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a multi-year strategy for United
States engagement with the Caribbean region that--
(1) identifies Department of State and USAID efforts, in
coordination with other executive branch agencies, to
prioritize United States policy towards the Caribbean region;
(2) outlines an approach to broaden Department of State and
USAID outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community in the
United States to promote their involvement and participation
in the economic development and citizen security of the
Caribbean region;
(3) outlines an approach to partner with the governments of
the Caribbean region to improve citizen security, reduce the
trafficking of illicit drugs, strengthen the rule of law, and
improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the Caribbean
Basin Security Initiative;
(4) establishes a comprehensive, integrated, multi-year
strategy to encourage the efforts of the Caribbean region to
implement regional and national strategies that improve
energy security by increasing access to diverse, reliable,
affordable, and sustainable power, including significant
renewable energy resources within the Caribbean region such
as biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, tidal, waste-to-
energy, and wind, and by taking advantage of the ongoing
energy revolution in the Unites States;
(5) outlines an approach to improve diplomatic engagement
with the governments of the Caribbean region, including with
respect to key votes on human rights and democracy at the
United Nations and the Organization of American States;
(6) develops an approach to assisting Caribbean countries
in the diversification of their economies, the reduction of
legal, technical, and administrative barriers that prevent
the free flow of foreign direct investment and trade to and
from each country and within the Caribbean region, and
support for the training and employment of youth and citizens
in marginalized communities; and
(7) reflects the input of other executive branch agencies,
as appropriate.
SEC. 4. BRIEFINGS.
The Secretary of State shall provide annual briefings to
the appropriate congressional committees that review
Department of State efforts to implement the strategy for
United States engagement with the Caribbean region in
accordance with section 3.
SEC. 5. PROGRESS REPORT.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act and biennially thereafter for the following four
years, the President shall transmit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on progress made toward to
implementing the strategy for United States engagement with
the Caribbean region in accordance with section 3.
[[Page H3725]]
SEC. 6. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON CARIBBEAN
BASIN SECURITY INITIATIVE.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report
that contains the following:
(1) An evaluation of the Caribbean Basin Security
Initiative (CBSI) and the extent to which the CBSI has met
Department of State and USAID benchmarks.
(2) An accounting of CBSI funding appropriated, obligated,
and expended from fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2016.
(3) A breakdown of yearly CBSI assistance provided to each
CBSI country.
(4) A description of how CBSI is coordinated with other
security assistance programs in the Western Hemisphere,
particularly the Merida Initiative and the Central America
Regional Security Initiative, and the role of the Department
of State's Senior Coordinator for the Citizen Security
Initiatives in the Western Hemisphere in such coordination.
(5) A description of all United States security assistance
provided to the Caribbean region, exclusive of assistance
through CBSI.
(6) Recommendations for legislative and executive action to
make CBSI more effective and efficient, as appropriate.
SEC. 7. GAO REPORT ON DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE EASTERN
CARIBBEAN.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report
that contains the following:
(1) An evaluation of United States diplomatic outreach from
the United States embassy in Barbados to the countries of
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia
and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
(2) A list of visits over the previous five years of
personnel at the United States embassy in Barbados to the
countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and
Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
(3) A description of how personnel at the United States
embassy in Barbados have engaged with government officials
and civil society organizations in Antigua and Barbuda,
Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and
the Grenadines over the previous five years.
(4) A description of how personnel at the United States
embassy in Grenada have engaged with government officials and
civil society organizations over the previous five years.
SEC. 8. REPORTING COST OFFSET.
Paragraph (4) of section 601(c) of the Foreign Service Act
of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4001(c)) is amended in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``the following:''
and all that follows through ``A workforce plan'' and
inserting ``a workforce plan'' and adjusting the margins
accordingly.
SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(2) Caribbean region.--The term ``Caribbean region'' means
the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative beneficiary
countries.
(3) Security assistance.--The term ``security assistance''
has the meaning given such term in section 502B(b) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(d)).
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.
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include any extraneous material on this bill.
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 rise in support of this bill. This is the United
States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act. It is authored by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the committee's ranking member. As
always, I appreciate him working closely with Chairman Emeritus Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen to ensure this legislation's swift passage. These two
Members have been particularly committed to developments in our
Southern Hemisphere.
For over a decade, Caribbean nations have received subsidized
Venezuelan oil in exchange for their support of the authoritarian
government of Hugo Chavez and now Nicolas Maduro. However, subsidized
Venezuelan oil has done nothing to help the Caribbean address their
need for a diversified energy strategy and instead has kept much of the
region beholden to the Venezuelan strongmen.
With Venezuela's inflation rate expected to rise to 500 percent this
year, fueled partially by the low price of oil, the nations of the
Caribbean have seen a marked decrease in oil shipments. Meanwhile,
years of authoritarian socialism are coming to a head in Venezuela, as
the political and economic crisis there threatens almost certain
implosion.
This presents an important responsibility here, a responsibility for
the United States to finally develop a comprehensive strategy on how
best to engage nations of the Caribbean diplomatically, how to help the
region improve energy security, how to reduce violence and drug
trafficking, and advance cooperation with regional governments on
democracy and human rights in international organizations, particularly
in the Organization of American States, as we know it, the OAS.
So this legislation, authored by Eliot Engel, will require the State
Department and USAID to develop that comprehensive and clear strategy
on how best to engage the Caribbean region, and it also requires the
Government Accountability Office to evaluate the Caribbean Basin
Security Initiative so that we can be sure we are truly advancing our
interests in the region using the best and most efficient approach.
During this time of competing priorities and limited resources, this
bill seeks to ensure that our government is not neglecting this key
region so close to our shores; and, frankly, it is in our hemisphere,
so we should not neglect it while developing a strategy that ensures
the effectiveness of our diplomatic engagement with each Caribbean
nation.
I once again thank the author, Ranking Member Engel, for his
leadership and attention to the Western Hemisphere and thank Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen for her commitment as well, specifically to the Caribbean
Basin.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time and yield the remainder
of my time to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and ask
unanimous consent that she be allowed to manage that time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I thank Chairman Royce and my good friend Mr. Engel for their
continued leadership, both of these great leaders, their longstanding
engagement to greater engagement with the Caribbean and for introducing
this bill that we have before us today, H.R. 4939, the United States-
Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act.
I am also pleased to be an original cosponsor and the Republican lead
of Mr. Engel's legislation. I thank Mr. Engel. It is fitting that we
bring this bill to the floor today, Mr. Speaker, during National
Caribbean American Heritage Month.
As a Member from south Florida, I see firsthand the wonderful
contributions that Caribbean Americans have made to our local
communities. The Caribbean culture has had a great and lasting impact
on our country and has helped bolster our society and has enriched our
traditions.
But while we celebrate the contributions of the Caribbean American
community to our country, we must also dedicate ourselves to doing more
to enhance our relations with our neighbors. U.S. foreign policy in
recent administrations--be they Republican or Democratic--have not
strengthened our partnerships with the Caribbean in the right way. As
the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), our chairman, pointed out,
our influence and friendship with these nations has waned, allowing the
negative influence of the dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela to take
root in the Caribbean.
Deepening our strategic relationship with the Caribbean represents an
extraordinary opportunity to expand our economic ties, to cooperate on
security issues, and to advance our values, our interests at
institutions such as the OAS, the Organization of American States, and
the U.N., the United Nations.
That is why, Mr. Speaker, this bill is so important. It pushes the
State Department to prioritize our relations
[[Page H3726]]
with the Caribbean nations. It requires our State Department to develop
a strategy to partner with our friends in the region on all issues,
from counternarcotics efforts, to energy security, to everything.
There is great potential for energy in the Caribbean, for example,
but we must help nations break from their dependency on Venezuelan
energy, especially as the Maduro regime is leading that nation to total
chaos. We should help our neighbors take advantage of abundant and
cheap natural gas and new, advanced, clean wind and solar technologies.
In this way, we can help strengthen the economies of the region from
the impact of the Venezuelan collapse--because the collapse is coming,
Mr. Speaker--and take realistic steps toward reducing carbon emissions.
This engagement has the benefit of being positive and sound foreign
policy, but it is also great for our domestic policy. This bill will
broaden our outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community here in the
United States, which has been so instrumental in helping to shape and
influence our great American story, and they deserve recognition and
greater collaboration.
I urge my colleagues to give their strong support for this bill. I
thank Ranking Member Engel for his leadership, as well as Chairman
Royce, on this important initiative.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, which I was
proud to introduce, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to thank our chairman, Ed Royce, for bringing forward my
legislation to ramp up our country's engagement with our Caribbean
neighbors. I also want to thank our former chair, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
who joined me in offering this bill and who knows better than anyone
the strategic importance of the Caribbean region.
We spend a great deal of time focusing on challenges and
opportunities in faraway places, but it is important that we never lose
sight of our interests closer to home. Indeed, we should be working to
strengthen our ties with countries in the Caribbean. That is the aim of
this bill, which would prioritize U.S.-Caribbean relations for years to
come.
This bill would require the Secretary of State, along with the USAID
Administrator, to devise a multiyear strategy for Caribbean engagement.
{time} 1800
We want to see how our diplomatic and development efforts are focused
on the Caribbean, with particular attention to energy security, the
rule of law, efforts to combat drug trafficking, and ways to enhance
economic cooperation.
We also want to increase our engagement when it comes to regional
issues by improving our diplomatic efforts with respect to key votes at
the United Nations and the Organization of American States.
In my view, the best way to put together a new strategy toward the
Caribbean is to tap into the large and vibrant Caribbean American
community here in the United States. I did that for the 4 years that I
was chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the Foreign
Affairs Committee.
So this bill underscores the importance of consulting with the
Caribbean diaspora community, promoting their involvement in economic
development, and civilian security in the Caribbean.
Finally, H.R. 4939 commissions two reports from the Government
Accountability Office, or GAO--one which evaluates the Caribbean Basin
Security Initiative and another which assesses U.S. diplomatic
engagement in the eastern Caribbean.
I have long believed that we do a real disservice to our country by
having no physical diplomatic presence in five of the countries in the
eastern Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis,
St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
I have long said it makes no sense for us to continue to conduct
diplomacy on these islands from our embassy in Barbados. They say you
can't conduct diplomacy from a bunker. It is also true that you cannot
conduct diplomacy from hundreds of miles away.
I hope to work with the State Department to ensure that we establish
a diplomatic presence in the eastern Caribbean as soon as possible.
China has it. Venezuela has it. Others have it. We should have it.
It is especially appropriate that we are considering this bill in
June, which is National Caribbean American Heritage Month. As the
President said in his proclamation: ``The bonds between the United
States and the Caribbean remain strong. Both rooted in similar
legacies--of trial and triumph, oppression and liberation--our
narratives have advanced on a similar path of progress, driven forward
by our shared dedication to fostering opportunity and forging a
brighter future.''
I couldn't agree more.
I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee), a leader on the Caribbean and author of a
resolution honoring Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, let me take a moment to offer my
condolences and prayers to the families and victims of the horrific gun
violence against the LGBT community in Orlando. These despicable acts
have shattered the lives of so many people. Our response must be not
only in words, but also in deeds and in action.
My congressional district has and will continue its outpouring of
sympathy and support for the people of Orlando, and we stand ready to
assist in whatever way is needed.
Let me now take a moment to thank Chairman Royce and Congresswoman
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. I also thank Congressman Engel for yielding and
for his tremendous leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee. I had
the honor to serve on the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the
Foreign Affairs Committee for several years when Mr. Engel was chair.
We talked early on about the importance of the Caribbean as a region
and how we must make it a priority in our foreign policy.
So today I want to thank both sides: our ranking member, Chairman
Royce, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and especially Mr. Engel, for
not just their words, but also their tremendous leadership, as
demonstrated by this important bill. It has taken a while to get to
this point, but thank goodness we are doing this in a bipartisan way.
So I just want to thank them very much for that.
As a lead cosponsor, of course, I stand in strong support of H.R.
4939. The bill would enhance U.S.-Caribbean relationships by requiring
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the administrator of
USAID, to submit a multiyear strategy for U.S. engagement with our
Caribbean neighbors to Congress.
I just want to, again, thank both sides. I remember when we had to
work to really get the Caribbean to be included in all PEPFAR
legislation, programs, and funding. So that was a major step in the
right direction.
This is a huge step now in moving forward. This bill is very timely.
It is a very important bill. As a long-time supporter of the Caribbean
and a frequent visitor to the region--actually, my son attended school
in Grenada.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman an additional 1
minute.
Ms. LEE. As I said, my son attended school in Grenada, and I am a
frequent visitor to the region. So I am very proud to see us debate
this today and, hopefully, pass the bill again on June 13.
Congress unanimously passed H. Con. Res. 71, which Mr. Engel and Ms.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen referenced. I authored that, actually, in February
2006, when President Bush was in office. He signed it. Since then,
President Obama has issued a proclamation annually recognizing June as
Caribbean American Heritage Month.
Caribbean Americans have contributed immensely to the fabric of the
United States. So as we celebrate this month, we are reminded also of
the relationship between the United States and our Caribbean neighbors.
This bill does that and more.
[[Page H3727]]
H.R. 4939 strengthens and enhances ties between the U.S. and the
Caribbean by promoting energy sustainability, diplomatic relations, and
economic cooperation. Caribbean countries, unfortunately, have been
neglected in our foreign policy. This bill brings a focus on making the
Caribbean region and the West Indies a priority.
So, Mr. Speaker, now is the time for the United States to recommit
our strong priorities with our Caribbean neighbors. We must revitalize
and enhance our outreach to our Caribbean neighbors now and in the
future. This bill does just that. I urge an ``aye'' vote.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode
Island (Mr. Cicilline), a very valued member of the Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, before I begin my remarks, I, too, extend my prayers and
sympathy to the people of Orlando. My constituents, like all Americans,
are brokenhearted at this monstrous act of violence visited upon a
community gathered together to enjoy friendship and community and to
celebrate. This act of cowardice has caused so much pain to the LGBT
community in Orlando and to our community all across this country. I
know I speak for everyone when I say we stand ready to do everything
that we can to help this community heal and to keep our communities
safe.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4939, the United
States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016.
My home State of Rhode Island is home to many Caribbean Americans,
particularly from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other countries in
the region. It is critical to strengthen our relationship with these
countries not just because of the national security interests we share,
but also to support the interests of our constituents and their ties to
this region.
Geographic proximity has ensured strong linkages between the United
States and the Caribbean region. H.R. 4939 will further enhance this
relationship. Our interests in the regions are diverse, including
economic, political, and security concerns.
Despite its importance to the United States, the Caribbean often gets
overlooked as we deal with concerns and threats from other regions of
the world. Our Caribbean neighbors are important partners at the United
Nations and the Organization of American States. Increasing engagements
with the governments and the Caribbean diaspora in the United States,
as well as the private sector and civil society in both the United
States and the Caribbean, will be beneficial to everyone.
H.R. 4939 will enhance diplomatic relations, increase economic
cooperation, support security integration efforts to help reduce
violence and drug trafficking, advance cooperation on democracy and
human rights in the region and at multilateral fora, and enhance
cooperation in combating public health threats.
I want to end by thanking Ranking Member Engel, Chairman Royce, and
subcommittee chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and all the sponsors of this
important bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in April of 2009, I had the honor of joining President
Obama in Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas. That was
one of his first trips abroad as President. I was chairman of the
Western Hemisphere Subcommittee at the time.
At that time, the President said: ``The energy, the dynamism, the
diversity of the Caribbean people inspires us all, and are such an
important part of what we share in common as a hemisphere.''
Seven years later, those words continue to ring true. In that time,
we have made a lot of progress. The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative
and the Caribbean Energy Security Initiative have brought us closer to
our Caribbean partners on a range of shared concerns. Let me say that
Vice President Biden deserves a great deal of credit for this progress,
but more needs to be done.
For example, this week, Secretary Kerry is in the Dominican Republic
for the general assembly meeting of the OAS, the Organization of
American States, which has its headquarters right here in Washington,
D.C. We are confronting some serious issues at this meeting, including
the crisis in Venezuela.
The Caribbean countries represented there will play a major role, and
the more we work in partnership with these governments, the better.
These may be small countries, but they pack a big punch in what is
going on in our neighborhood. This legislation will keep us moving in
the right direction when it comes to these partnerships.
I was very honored to introduce the bill, and I am honored that we
have strong support on both sides of the aisle. I, again, want to thank
Chairman Royce and Chairwoman Emeritus Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, both
excellent members and real, stalwart support for this committee. This
is another example of bipartisanship on the House Foreign Affairs
Committee. I am very, very proud of that. So this will keep us moving
in the right direction.
I urge a ``yes'' vote.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank, once again, Ranking Member Engel for his
tremendous leadership and all of his efforts to promote stronger
relationships with nations within our own hemisphere.
I have the distinct pleasure, as I have said, to represent south
Florida in Congress. We have many, many constituents in my district
from the Caribbean. Part of what makes south Florida so unique is the
contribution of the Caribbean diaspora.
What we have here during Caribbean American Heritage Month is an
opportunity to strengthen the U.S.-Caribbean alliance and contribute in
a meaningful and positive way to our neighbors.
We have been in a crisis mode, Mr. Speaker, focusing most of our
attention on the many areas that, rightfully, demand our attention
overseas, but it would be in both of our long-term interests, as well
as our near-term interests, to develop mutually beneficial and
strategic alliances close to home with the Caribbean nations.
Just think of all the economic opportunities that we can help in
working with our neighbors to open up. We have a great opportunity with
this bill to help them diversify their economies by tearing down
burdensome barriers that are preventing them from taking advantage of
direct foreign investment and trade. That can lead to greater growth,
more stability for the Caribbean, for the diaspora, and for the United
States as a whole.
So I urge my colleagues to support passage of this important bill. I
look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Engel and Mr. Royce to
develop even stronger ties to our neighbors in the hemisphere.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4939, 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.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. 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, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________