[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 5 (Thursday, January 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H432-H434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRANS-SAHARA COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERSHIP ACT
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 192) 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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 192
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''.
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 Counterterrorism 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).
(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;
(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.
[[Page H433]]
(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 New
York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on H.R. 192, currently under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
I rise in support of this measure. I would like to begin by again
thanking Mr. McCaul for once again putting forward this legislation. I
look forward to working with him, as I mentioned before, as he begins
his role as the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
The bill before us today authorizes the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism
Partnership. This interagency program was established in 2005 to help
America's partners in the Sahel and Maghreb regions 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 a united interagency effort. That is why this bill is so
important.
By coordinating our diplomatic, military, and development efforts in
our own government and with partners abroad, the Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership strengthens our response to the
international security threats facing these regions of Africa.
Passing this legislation, which authorizes an existing program, will
also enhance the ability of Congress to conduct thorough oversight.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, which already
passed the House last year, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of my bill, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism
Partnership Act. This bill passed the House last year. I am pleased
that the chairman and I were able to make it an early priority in this
Congress.
This legislation strengthens our counterterrorism operations in
Africa, an area where the terror threat is rapidly rising.
{time} 1515
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 are alarming.
On the eve of 9/11, al-Qaida had only 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. We know that these groups have plotted attacks that
threaten U.S. interests, and some have succeeded.
The Trump administration recently released their Africa strategy. It
appropriately prioritizes U.S. efforts to counter radical Islamic
terrorism on the continent. I applaud their continued focus on this
issue.
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,
Niger, and Nigeria to build their capacity to conduct counterterrorism
operations, prevent the spread of violent extremism, and strengthen the
rule of law.
Furthermore, it requires the State Department, USAID, and the Defense
Department to work together to develop a counterterrorism strategy in
Africa. By taking a multifaceted approach and better coordinating our
efforts, we can prevent terrorism from gaining a larger foothold in
these countries.
Again, I thank Mr. Engel and I thank Mr. Keating for their shared
support of this cause, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairman Engel and Congressman
Keating. The bill authorizes a really important interagency effort to
combat terrorism and prevent the spread of radical Islamist extremism
in Africa. As ISIS and other terrorist ideologies are degraded in the
Middle East, they are, unfortunately, finding a safe haven in Africa.
We must partner with other nations to work to combat these threats
before they impact the homeland. This bill will increase congressional
oversight from our committee and better coordinate U.S. assistance.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again thank Mr. McCaul for his
work on this measure and state again that I look forward to working
side by side with him as chairman and ranking member of the Foreign
Affairs Committee. This bill authorizes an 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 colleague to support this important
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 192, the
``Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership Act,'' which will help 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.
This bill launched in 2005, is a partnership to cooperate with
countries in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa on their immediate
and longterm capabilities to address and prevent the spread of violent
extremism.
Extremist movements, 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
[[Page H434]]
caused mass human suffering in the affected communities.
As Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are being driven out of the Middle
East, Africa is becoming the new battleground for their terror attacks.
According to the Environmental System Research Institute, in the last
four years, terrorist attacks have killed 31,600 people in 4,455
attacks in Africa.
Boko Haram alone caused more than 8,000 fatalities across Nigeria,
Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
Boko Haram have taken control of the former commercial town of Baga
near the border with Chad, which caused the displacement of hundreds of
people.
Armed groups and violent Islamist terrorist organizations exploit
vulnerable and marginalized communities suffering from poverty, lack of
economic opportunity (particularly among youth populations), and weak
governance.
Youth populations are more likely to join an expanding terrorist
network in West and Central Africa, which make the region more likely
to be hit by a severe violent attack.
Al-Qaeda and ISIS recruited in Tunisia 6,500 youth volunteers.
On Oct. 4, 2017, militants affiliated with ISIS ambushed a team of
U.S. troops in Niger, killing four soldiers and wounding two.
On October 6, 2017, a terrorist attack killed more than 300 people,
injured nearly 400 and leveled an entire block in Mogadishu, Somalia.
That is why it is important that we vote today to implement the
following recommendations from the report:
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.
This 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.
H.R. 192 follows the recommendation from the report and ensures that
the U. S,Congress can assist its partner countries 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.
H.R. 192 is a step in the right direction because it will help to
establish an interagency program to assist countries in the Sahel and
Maghreb regions of Africa on their immediate and long-term capabilities
to address and prevent the spread of violent extremism.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important
legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 192.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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