[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 179 (Tuesday, November 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9495-H9497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRANS-SAHARA COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2018
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 6018) to establish an interagency program to assist
countries in the Sahel, Maghreb, and adjacent regions of Africa to
improve immediate and long-term capabilities to counter terrorist
threats, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6018
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 ``Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, launched
in 2005, is an interagency program to assist partner
countries in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa on their
immediate and long-term capabilities to address terrorist
threats and prevent the spread of violent extremism;
(2) armed groups and violent Islamist terrorist
organizations, such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko
Haram, the Islamic State of West Africa, and other affiliated
groups, have killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians,
displaced populations, destabilized local and national
governments, and caused mass human suffering in the affected
communities;
(3) it is in the national security interest of the United
States to combat the spread of radical Islamist extremism and
build partner countries' capacity to combat these threats in
Africa;
(4) extremist movements exploit vulnerable and marginalized
communities suffering from poverty, lack of economic
opportunity (particularly among youth populations), and weak
governance; and
(5) to address critical security, political, economic, and
humanitarian challenges in these regions of Africa, a
coordinated, interagency approach is needed to appropriately
allocate resources, share responsibility, de-conflict
programs, and maximize the effectiveness of United States
defense, diplomatic, and development capabilities.
SEC. 3. TRANS-SAHARA COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERSHIP.
(a) Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development, shall
establish a partnership, to be known as the ``Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership'' (TSCTP), to coordinate all
United States programs, projects, and activities in North and
West Africa that are conducted for any of the following
purposes:
(A) To build the capacity of foreign military and law
enforcement entities in such regions to conduct
counterterrorism operations.
(B) To improve the ability of foreign military and law
enforcement entities in such regions to cooperate with the
United States and other partner countries on counterterrorism
efforts.
(C) To enhance the border security capacity of partner
countries in such regions, including the ability to monitor,
restrain, and interdict terrorists.
(D) To strengthen the rule of law in such countries,
including access to justice, and the ability of the law
enforcement entities of such partner countries to detect,
disrupt, respond to, investigate, and prosecute terrorist
activity.
(E) To monitor and counter the financing of terrorism.
(F) To further reduce any vulnerabilities among affected
populations in such regions to recruitment or incitement of
terrorist activities through public diplomacy efforts, such
as supporting youth employment, promoting meaningful
participation of women, strengthening local governance and
civil society capacity, and improving access to economic
opportunities and education.
(G) To support independent, local-language media,
particularly in rural areas, to counter media operations and
recruitment propaganda by terrorist organizations.
(2) Consultation.--In coordinating programs through the
TSCTP, the Secretary of State shall also consult, as
appropriate, with the Director of National Intelligence, the
Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Chief
Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global
Media (formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of
Governors), and the heads of other relevant Federal
departments and agencies.
(3) Congressional notification.--Not later than 15 days
before obligating amounts for an activity coordinated by the
TSCTP pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall
submit a notification, in accordance with the requirements of
section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2394-1), that includes the following:
(A) The foreign country and entity, as applicable, whose
capabilities are to be enhanced in accordance with the
purposes specified in paragraph (1)
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(B) The amount, type, and purpose of support to be
provided.
(C) An assessment of the capacity of the foreign country or
entity to absorb the assistance to be provided.
(D) The estimated cost and anticipated implementation
timeline for assistance.
(E) As applicable, a description of the arrangements to
sustain any equipment provided by the activity beyond the
completion date of such activity, if applicable, and the
estimated cost and source of funds to support such
sustainment.
(F) The amount, type, statutory authorization, and purpose
of any United States security assistance provided to such
foreign country during the three preceding fiscal years
pursuant to authorities under title 10, United States Code,
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.),
or any other ``train and equip'' authorities of the
Department of Defense.
(b) Comprehensive Strategy for Counterterrorism Efforts.--
(1) Development.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a comprehensive, interagency strategy that--
(A) states the objectives of the United States
counterterrorism effort in North and West Africa with respect
to the use of all forms of United States assistance to
counter violent extremism; and
(B) includes a plan by the Secretary of State for the
manner in which programs shall be coordinated by the TSCTP
pursuant to subsection (a)(1), including which agency or
bureau of the Department of State, as applicable, will be
responsible for leading and coordinating each such program;
and
(C) outlines a plan to monitor and evaluate TSCTP programs
and identifies the key indicators that will be used to
measure performance and progress under the strategy.
(2) Supporting material in annual budget request.--The
Secretary of State shall include, in the budget materials
submitted in support of the budget of the President
(submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31,
United States Code) for each fiscal year beginning after the
date of the enactment of this Act, a description of the
requirements, activities, and planned allocation of amounts
requested by the TSCTP.
(c) Monitoring and Evaluation of Programs and Activities.--
(1) Monitoring and evaluation.--The Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall monitor and evaluate the programs
coordinated by the TSCTP pursuant to subsection (a)(1) in
accordance with the plan outlined pursuant to subsection
(b)(1)(C).
(2) Report.--For the 5-year period beginning 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an
annual report on monitoring and evaluation efforts pursuant
to paragraph (1) that describes--
(A) the progress made in meeting the objectives listed in
the strategy required by subsection (b)(1), including any
lessons learned in carrying out TSCTP programs and activities
and any recommendations for improving such programs and
activities;
(B) the efforts taken to coordinate, de-conflict and
streamline TSCTP programs to maximize resource effectiveness;
(C) the extent to which each partner country has
demonstrated the ability to absorb the equipment or training
provided in the year previous under TSCTP programs, and where
applicable, the ability to maintain and appropriately utilize
such equipment provided;
(D) the extent to which each partner country is investing
its own resources to advance the goals described in
subsection (a)(1) or demonstrated a commitment and
willingness to cooperate with the United States to advance
such goals; and
(E) the actions taken by the government of each partner
country receiving assistance through programs coordinated by
the TSCTP to combat corruption, improve transparency and
accountability, and promote other forms of good governance.
(d) Form.--The strategy required by subsection (b)(1) and
the report required by subsection (c)(2) shall be submitted
in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
(e) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on
Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the
Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
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 of California. 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 in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6018, the Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership Act.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues here, Chairman Mike McCaul
and Ranking Member Keating, for their bipartisan leadership to advance
this important measure.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, as well as
ISIS in the Greater Sahara, al-Qaida affiliates, and other armed groups
continue to create havoc across north and west Africa. Thousands of
civilians, including countless women and children, have died at the
hands of these terrorist organizations.
In response to these threats, the U.S. has deployed over 1,000 troops
in the region, but the many diverse and increasingly pressing security
threats across Africa demand more than just a military presence.
Realizing this, in 2005, the U.S. established the Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership, known as the TSCTP program, to bring
together the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the
U.S. Agency for International Development, and they did that to
coordinate and streamline U.S. and partner nations' efforts to combat
terrorism, as well as preventing the spread of violent extremism in
north and west Africa.
This program rightly recognizes that we must build the capacity of
countries so that they can themselves detect and defeat terrorists
within their own countries. This is a long-term approach that can
produce high returns with relatively low investment. We are investing
in the future security of partner nations.
But TSCTP is not just about security assistance. Strengthening
democratic institutions of partner nations to ensure responsive
democratic governance and rule of law is also a key part of this
program. Often our efforts help bring government officials around the
table with local communities, including women's groups and including
civil society at large, to increase dialogue on peace and security.
Having women at the table not only makes peace agreements more likely,
but also makes agreements last longer.
This region is home to some of the poorest countries of the world,
and the humanitarian and development needs are immense. High youth
unemployment, food insecurity, low education, and severe lack of
government services together create an environment ripe for terrorist
recruitment.
To improve these underlying conditions, USAID is supporting
vulnerable populations through livelihood training, through access to
health resources, and through agricultural development.
TSCTP coordinates our diplomatic, defense, and development tools to
counter these terrorist threats and to help bring stability to this
region. The bill we are considering today supports this program by
establishing core objectives in benchmarks and strengthening
congressional oversight so it continues to be efficient and effective
and timely.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this important
measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure and I yield
myself as much time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Mr. McCaul for putting
forward this important bill, which would authorize the Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership. I want to also thank Congressman Keating
for his hard work on this bill as well.
This interagency program was established in 2005 to help America's
partners in the Sahel and Maghreb counter terrorism and violent
extremism.
In places where instability leads to terrorism and conflict, it is
important that we collaborate with our allies and that our policy is
driven by united interagency effort. That is why this bill is so
critical.
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It requires the Secretary of State to work with the Secretary of
Defense and the USAID administrator to create a comprehensive strategy.
By coordinating our diplomatic, military, and development efforts at
home and with partners abroad, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism
Partnership Act strengthens our response to the international security
threats facing these regions of Africa.
Mr. Speaker, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership is an
important program that will enhance our international security efforts
in an area that demands attention.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul), chairman of the Committee on
Homeland Security, a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
and the author of this legislation.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Chairman Royce and Ranking
Member Eliot Engel, both of them this Congress, in their leadership. We
are going to miss Chairman Royce as we move on to the end of this
Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I do rise in support of this bill, the Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership Act. This bill will strengthen our
counterterrorism operations in Africa, an area where the threat of
terrorism is rapidly rising.
While our attention has been focused on the Middle East, terrorism in
Africa has spread.
Our military successes in Iraq and Syria have splintered ISIS,
squeezed terrorists out of the Middle East, and sent them fleeing to
Africa.
The numbers, Mr. Speaker, are alarming. On the eve of 9/11, it is
important to point out, that al-Qaida on the eve of 9/11 only had a few
hundred followers. Today, it is estimated that 10,000 ISIS and al-Qaida
jihadists have established bases across the continent.
Along with other existing terrorist organizations, such as Boko
Haram, terrorism is taking hold in Africa and prohibiting its
prosperity.
My bill, which I introduced with my friend, Mr. Keating, authorizes,
for the first time, a program called the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism
Partnership. This program works with countries such as Chad, Mali, and
Nigeria to build their capacity to conduct counterterrorism operations
and strengthen the rule of law.
Furthermore, my bill requires the State Department, USAID, and the
Defense Department to work together to develop a counterterrorism
strategy in Africa. By taking a multifaceted approach, we may be able
to prevent terrorism from gaining a larger foothold in these countries.
Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to thank Mr. Keating, Chairman
Royce, and Ranking Member Engel for all of their support in this
important legislation.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), who chairs the
Subcommittee on the Middle East and north Africa and is the former
chair of the Africa Subcommittee as well.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking
Member Engel for their leadership, for their bipartisan spirit, for
everything that they are doing to bring our Congress together. We need
more of them around here. I thank them for bringing Mr. McCaul's bill
to the floor today. I thank my esteemed Foreign Affairs Committee
colleague, Michael McCaul, for his authorship of this important bill.
The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Act codifies an
important program, the program after which the bill is named, and helps
build partner capacity in a critical region of the world.
Thanks to Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel, I recently had the
privilege of leading a delegation to one of those partner countries,
Morocco, where I met with the Moroccan equivalent of the FBI. On the
front lines of terrorism in north Africa and the Sahel, Morocco has
successfully thwarted plot after plot that was threatening U.S.
interests, and is positioned to play an even bigger role in our joint
counterterrorism efforts.
Programs like the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership help
bring law enforcement services in places like Morocco even closer
together, allowing us to share information about terrorist groups like
ISIS, al-Qaida, Hezbollah, and helps to protect our homeland.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support Mr. McCaul's
important bill, and I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce)
for yielding me time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I, again, want to thank Mr.
McCaul for his hard work on this measure and to Chairman Royce for
moving it forward.
This bill authorizes a very important program that strengthens our
efforts to assist partners in the Sahel and Maghreb to counter
terrorism and violent extremism.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism
Partnership Act mandates an important interagency effort to combat
terrorism and to prevent the spread of radical extremism. It increases
congressional oversight by requiring increased reporting and regular
monitoring and evaluation, frankly, of all of our programs. In doing
so, through programs like TSCTP and with just a relatively small amount
of foreign assistance dollars, we are investing in the future stability
of these nations and their own ability to defeat terrorist attacks.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Mike McCaul for this measure, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
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. 6018, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
establish an interagency program to assist countries in North and West
Africa to improve immediate and long-term capabilities to counter
terrorist threats, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________