[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 118 (Monday, July 15, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5780-H5786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        UNITED STATES-NORTHERN TRIANGLE ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT ACT

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2615) to support the people of Central America and strengthen 
United States national security by addressing the root causes of 
migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2615

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``United 
     States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Report on drivers of migration from the Northern Triangle to 
              the United States.
Sec. 3. Actions to promote inclusive economic growth and development in 
              the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 4. Actions to combat corruption in the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 5. Actions to strengthen democratic institutions in the Northern 
              Triangle.
Sec. 6. Actions to improve security conditions in the Northern 
              Triangle.
Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations for assistance to Central 
              America.
Sec. 8. Conditions on assistance to the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 9. Enhancing engagement with the Government of Mexico on the 
              Northern Triangle.
Sec. 10. Targeting assistance to address migration from communities in 
              the Northern Triangle.
Sec. 11. Targeted sanctions to fight corruption in the Northern 
              Triangle.
Sec. 12. Requirement to provide advance notification to Congress of 
              security assistance to Northern Triangle countries.
Sec. 13. Definitions.
Sec. 14. Determination of budgetary effects.

     SEC. 2. REPORT ON DRIVERS OF MIGRATION FROM THE NORTHERN 
                   TRIANGLE TO THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) In General.--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 and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report on the drivers of migration 
     from each of the Northern Triangle countries and the progress 
     United States foreign assistance is making in addressing such 
     drivers.
       (b) Elements.--The report required under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following elements for each of the Northern 
     Triangle countries, with data disaggregated by municipality, 
     age, and gender, as necessary:
       (1) Information and data on all criminal activities, 
     including drug trafficking, extortion, trafficking in 
     persons, and gender-based violence, with particular emphasis 
     on such activities carried out by criminal gangs and 
     transnational criminal organizations such as MS-13 and the 
     18th Street Gang.
       (2) Data on the extent to which criminal activities 
     referred to in paragraph (1) are reported to government 
     authorities and the number of perpetrators investigated, 
     apprehended, prosecuted, or convicted, versus the number of 
     known perpetrators who are not so investigated, apprehended, 
     prosecuted, or convicted.
       (3) Data on children and young adults forcibly recruited 
     for criminal activities referred to in paragraph (1), 
     including the extent to which government authorities received 
     reports of forced recruitment.
       (4) Data on internal displacement due to criminal 
     activities referred to in paragraph (1), and services, 
     including temporary shelters, provided to those displaced by 
     violence.
       (5) Data on gender-based violence by region and 
     municipality and descriptions of gender-based violence and 
     domestic violence trends, including gender-based violence 
     against indigenous women, and correlation to outward 
     migration.
       (6) Descriptions of the obstacles (including capacity gaps 
     within the criminal justice systems) to resolving gender-
     based violence cases and deterring violence against women and 
     children.
       (7) Information on the availability of trauma-informed 
     legal and social services, including in shelters, for victims 
     of gender-based violence.
       (8) Data on the number of police officers, prosecutors, 
     court personnel, and specialized units trained in violence 
     against women and children, including data on the number of 
     female police officers in each of the Northern Triangle 
     countries.
       (9) Data on reported cases of abuse, including 
     extrajudicial executions, torture, forced disappearance, and 
     arbitrary detention, allegedly committed by members of the 
     security forces, and collusion between members of such 
     security forces and gangs and other criminal groups, 
     including transnational criminal organizations, and the 
     number of perpetrators investigated, apprehended, prosecuted, 
     or convicted, versus the number of known perpetrators not so 
     investigated, apprehended, prosecuted, or convicted.
       (10) Descriptions of the strategies being implemented to 
     guarantee the rights of indigenous and rural communities.
       (11) Descriptions of the strategies being implemented to 
     address forced recruitment of children and youth by gangs, 
     transnational criminal organizations, and other criminal 
     groups, and how such strategies are complemented by United 
     States efforts.
       (12) Descriptions of the strategies being implemented by 
     the governments of each of the Northern Triangle countries to 
     address corruption and organized crime and how such 
     strategies are complemented by United States efforts.
       (13) Data on the effectiveness of anti-corruption 
     strategies, including through bilateral and multilateral 
     anti-corruption assistance.
       (14) An assessment of the extent of corruption, including 
     regarding narcotics trafficking and illicit campaign 
     financing, a description of steps taken and to be taken to 
     impose sanctions pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human 
     Rights Accountability Act (22 U.S.C. 2656 note), and a list 
     of senior officials who are known or credibly alleged to have 
     committed or facilitated such corruption, not including 
     individuals who have already been sentenced to crimes in 
     criminal courts.
       (15) Descriptions of operating conditions for civil society 
     organizations and independent media in each of the Northern 
     Triangle countries, and data on harassment and attacks on 
     civil society and independent media from political and 
     criminal actors.
       (16) An assessment of information sharing regarding known 
     or suspected terrorists and other individuals and groups that 
     pose a potential threat to United States national security 
     that are crossing through or residing in the Northern 
     Triangle.
       (17) Descriptions of the obstacles (including capacity gaps 
     within the criminal justice systems) to resolving criminal 
     cases and corruption and deterring violence.
       (18) Data on the capacity of child welfare systems in each 
     Northern Triangle country to protect unaccompanied children, 
     including runaways and refugee returnees.
       (19) Data on the governance capacity of Northern Triangle 
     country governments at the local and national level, 
     including ability to deliver basic citizen services, 
     including tax collection and citizen security.
       (20) Data on the rates of extortion, the impact of 
     extortion on local businesses and economies, and the number 
     of extortion cases investigated, prosecuted, or convicted.
       (21) Data on the extent to which the Northern Triangle 
     governments are promoting economic growth and educational 
     opportunities, improving health outcomes, and addressing the 
     underlying causes of poverty and inequality through public 
     policies.
       (22) Data on the activities of China and Russia, an 
     assessment of the threat of such activities to United States 
     interests, and the impact of such activities on irregular 
     migration.
       (23) An analysis of the manner and extent to which 
     assistance made available to the Northern Triangle countries 
     in fiscal years 2015 through 2017 were expended, particularly 
     including--
       (A) the extent to which funds made available to private and 
     nongovernmental entities to provide such assistance were 
     subsequently expended on activities conducted within such 
     countries; and
       (B) the manner in which such funds were expended on 
     activities in other countries.
       (24) Data on the geographic regions where highest incidence 
     of violence occurs against women and children.
       (25) An evaluation of the extent to which women and 
     children who are victims of violence have access to 
     protection and justice.
       (26) An evaluation of the capacity of the justice system in 
     each Northern Triangle country to respond to reports of 
     femicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, or 
     child abuse and neglect, and to

[[Page H5781]]

     hold perpetrators of such crimes accountable.
       (c) Public Availability.--The report required under 
     subsection (a) shall be made publicly available on the 
     website of the Department of State.

     SEC. 3. ACTIONS TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND 
                   DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

       (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of 
     State shall prioritize economic development in the Northern 
     Triangle countries by carrying out the following initiatives:
       (1) Supporting market-based solutions to eliminate 
     constraints to inclusive economic growth, including through 
     support for increased digital connectivity and the use of 
     financial technology, and private sector and civil society-
     led efforts to create jobs and foster economic prosperity.
       (2) Addressing underlying causes of poverty and inequality, 
     including by improving nutrition and food security, providing 
     health resources and access to clean water, sanitation, 
     hygiene, and shelter, and improving livelihoods.
       (3) Responding to immediate humanitarian needs by 
     increasing humanitarian assistance, including through access 
     to clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and shelter, improving 
     livelihoods, and by providing health resources and improving 
     nutrition and food security.
       (4) Supporting conservation and community resilience and 
     strengthening community preparedness for natural disasters 
     and other external shocks.
       (5) Identifying, as appropriate, a role for the United 
     States International Development Finance Corporation, the 
     Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the United States 
     Agency for International Development, and the United States 
     private sector in supporting efforts to increase private 
     sector investment and strengthen economic prosperity.
       (6) Expanding comprehensive reintegration mechanisms for 
     repatriated individuals once returned to their countries of 
     origin and supporting efforts by the private sector to hire 
     and train eligible returnees.
       (7) Establishing monitoring and verification services to 
     determine the well-being of repatriated children in order to 
     determine if United States protection and screening 
     functioned effectively in identifying persecuted and 
     trafficked children.
       (8) Supporting efforts to increase domestic resource 
     mobilization, including through strengthening of tax 
     collection and enforcement and legal arbitration mechanisms.
       (b) Strategy.--
       (1) Elements.--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, the President and Chief 
     Executive Officer of the Inter-American Foundation, the 
     Director of the United States Trade and Development Agency, 
     the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Development Finance Corporation, and the heads 
     of other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a five-year strategy to 
     support inclusive economic growth and development in the 
     Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the initiatives 
     described in subsection (a).
       (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult 
     with nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
     countries and the United States.
       (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
     progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
     Triangle to the United States.
       (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
     educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
     United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
     informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration 
     to the United States.
       (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than one year after 
     the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of 
     State shall provide the appropriate congressional committees 
     with a written description of progress made in meeting the 
     benchmarks established in the strategy.
       (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
     of the Department of State.
       (c) Report on Establishing an Investment Fund for the 
     Northern Triangle Countries and Southern Mexico.--Not later 
     than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Chief Executive Officer of the United States 
     International Development Finance Corporation shall submit to 
     the appropriate congressional committees a detailed report 
     assessing the feasibility, costs, and benefits of the 
     Corporation establishing an investment fund to promote 
     economic and social development in the Northern Triangle 
     countries and southern Mexico.

     SEC. 4. ACTIONS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION IN THE NORTHERN 
                   TRIANGLE.

       (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of 
     State shall prioritize efforts to combat corruption in the 
     Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the following 
     initiatives:
       (1) Supporting anti-corruption efforts, including by 
     strengthening national justice systems and attorneys general, 
     providing technical assistance to financial institutions to 
     identify money laundering and other financial crimes, 
     breaking up financial holdings of organized criminal 
     syndicates, including illegally acquired lands and proceeds 
     from illegal activities, and supporting independent media and 
     investigative reporting.
       (2) Supporting anti-corruption efforts through bilateral 
     assistance and complementary support through multilateral 
     anti-corruption mechanisms when necessary.
       (3) Encouraging cooperation agreements between the 
     Department of State and relevant United States Government 
     agencies and attorneys general to fight corruption.
       (4) Supporting efforts to strengthen special prosecutorial 
     offices and financial institutions to combat corruption, 
     money laundering, financial crimes, extortion, human rights 
     crimes, asset forfeiture, and criminal analysis.
       (5) Supporting initiatives to advance judicial integrity 
     and improve security for members of the judicial sector.
       (6) Supporting transparent, merit-based selection processes 
     for prosecutors and judges and the development of 
     professional and merit-based civil services.
       (7) Supporting the establishment or strengthening of 
     methods, procedures, and expectations for internal and 
     external control mechanisms for the security and police 
     services and judiciary.
       (8) Supporting the adoption of appropriate technologies to 
     combat corruption in public finance.
       (b) Strategy.--
       (1) Elements.--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 and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a five-year strategy to combat 
     corruption in the Northern Triangle countries by carrying out 
     the initiatives described in subsection (a).
       (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult 
     with nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
     countries and the United States.
       (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
     progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
     Triangle to the United States.
       (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
     educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
     United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
     informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration 
     to the United States.
       (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than one year after 
     the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of 
     State shall provide the appropriate congressional committees 
     with a written description of progress made in meeting the 
     benchmarks established in the strategy.
       (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
     of the Department of State.
       (c) Designation of a Senior Rule of Law Advisor for the 
     Northern Triangle in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere 
     Affairs.--The Secretary of State shall designate in the 
     Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs of the Department of 
     State a Senior Rule of Law Advisor for the Northern Triangle 
     who shall lead diplomatic engagement with the Northern 
     Triangle countries in support of democratic governance, anti-
     corruption efforts, and the rule of law in all aspects of 
     United States policy towards the countries of the Northern 
     Triangle, including carrying out the initiatives described in 
     subsection (a) and developing the strategy required under 
     subsection (b). The individual designated in accordance with 
     this subsection shall be a Department of State employee in 
     the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

     SEC. 5. ACTIONS TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE 
                   NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

       (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of 
     State shall prioritize strengthening democratic institutions, 
     good governance, human rights, and the rule of law in the 
     Northern Triangle countries by carrying out the following 
     initiatives:
       (1) Providing support to strengthen government institutions 
     and actors at the local and national levels to provide 
     services and respond to citizen needs through transparent, 
     inclusive, and democratic processes.
       (2) Supporting efforts to strengthen access to information 
     laws and reform laws that currently limit access to 
     information.
       (3) Financing efforts to build the capacity of independent 
     media with a specific focus on professional investigative 
     journalism.
       (4) Ensuring that threats and attacks on journalists and 
     human rights defenders are fully investigated and 
     perpetrators are held accountable.
       (5) Developing the capacity of civil society to conduct 
     oversight and accountability mechanisms at the national and 
     local levels.
       (6) Training political actors committed to democratic 
     principles.
       (7) Strengthening electoral institutions and processes to 
     ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
       (8) Advancing conservation principles and the rule of law 
     to address multiple factors,

[[Page H5782]]

     including the impacts of illegal cattle ranching and 
     smuggling as drivers of deforestation.
       (b) Strategy.--
       (1) Elements.--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 and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a strategy to support democratic 
     governance in the Northern Triangle countries by carrying out 
     the initiatives described in subsection (a).
       (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult 
     with nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
     countries and the United States.
       (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
     progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
     Triangle to the United States.
       (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
     educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
     United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
     informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration 
     to the United States.
       (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than one year after 
     the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of 
     State shall provide the appropriate congressional committees 
     with a written description of progress made in meeting the 
     benchmarks established in the strategy.
       (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
     of the Department of State.

     SEC. 6. ACTIONS TO IMPROVE SECURITY CONDITIONS IN THE 
                   NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

       (a) Secretary of State Prioritization.--The Secretary of 
     State shall prioritize security in the Northern Triangle 
     countries by carrying out the following initiatives:
       (1) Implementing the Central America Regional Security 
     Initiative of the Department of State.
       (2) Continuing the vetting and professionalization of 
     security services, including the civilian police and military 
     units.
       (3) Supporting efforts to combat the illicit activities of 
     criminal gangs and transnational criminal organizations, 
     including MS-13 and the 18th Street Gang, through support to 
     fully vetted elements of attorneys general offices, 
     appropriate government institutions, and security services.
       (4) Supporting training for fully vetted civilian police 
     and appropriate security services in criminal investigations, 
     best practices for citizen security, and human rights.
       (5) Providing capacity-building to relevant security 
     services and attorneys general to support counternarcotics 
     efforts and combat human trafficking, forcible recruitment of 
     children and youth by gangs, gender-based violence, and other 
     illicit activities, including trafficking of wildlife, and 
     natural resources.
       (6) Encouraging collaboration with regional and 
     international partners in implementing security assistance, 
     including by supporting cross-border information sharing on 
     gangs and transnational criminal organizations.
       (7) Providing equipment, technology, tools, and training to 
     security services to assist in border and port inspections.
       (8) Providing equipment, technology, tools, and training to 
     assist security services in counternarcotics and other 
     efforts to combat illicit activities.
       (9) Continuing information sharing regarding known or 
     suspected terrorists and other individuals and entities that 
     pose a potential threat to United States national security 
     that are crossing through or residing in the Northern 
     Triangle.
       (10) Supporting information sharing on gangs and 
     transnational criminal organizations between relevant 
     Federal, State, and local law enforcement and the governments 
     of the Northern Triangle countries.
       (11) Considering the use of assets and resources of United 
     States State and local government entities, as appropriate, 
     to support the activities described in this subsection.
       (12) Providing thorough end-use monitoring of equipment, 
     technology, tools, and training provided pursuant to this 
     subsection.
       (b) Strategy.--
       (1) Elements.--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 and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a five-year strategy to prioritize 
     the improvement of security in the Northern Triangle 
     countries by carrying out the initiatives described in 
     subsection (a).
       (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult 
     with nongovernmental organizations in the Northern Triangle 
     countries and the United States.
       (3) Benchmarks.--The strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy's 
     progress in curbing irregular migration from the Northern 
     Triangle to the United States.
       (4) Public diplomacy.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall include a public diplomacy strategy for 
     educating citizens of the Northern Triangle countries about 
     United States assistance and its benefits to them, and 
     informing such citizens of the dangers of illegal migration 
     to the United States.
       (5) Annual progress updates.--Not later than one year after 
     the submission of the strategy required under paragraph (1) 
     and annually thereafter for four years, the Secretary of 
     State shall provide the appropriate congressional committees 
     with a written description of progress made in meeting the 
     benchmarks established in the strategy.
       (6) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
     of the Department of State.
       (c) Women and Children Protection Compacts.--
       (1) In general.--The President, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of State, the Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development, and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal departments or agencies, is authorized to 
     enter into bilateral agreements with one or more of the 
     Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras to provide 
     United States assistance for the purposes of--
       (A) strengthening the capacity of the justice systems in 
     such countries to protect women and children fleeing 
     domestic, gang, or drug violence and to serve victims of 
     domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, or child 
     abuse or neglect, including by strengthening the capacity of 
     such systems to hold perpetrators accountable; and
       (B) creating, securing, and sustaining safe communities and 
     schools in such countries, by building on current approaches 
     to prevent and deter violence against women and children in 
     such communities or schools.
       (2) Requirements.--An agreement under the authority 
     provided by paragraph (1)--
       (A) shall establish a 3- to 6-year plan to achieve the 
     objectives described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 
     paragraph;
       (B) shall include measurable goals and indicators with 
     respect to such objectives;
       (C) may not provide for any United States assistance to be 
     made available directly to any of the governments of El 
     Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras; and
       (D) may be suspended or terminated with respect to a 
     country or an entity receiving assistance pursuant to the 
     agreement, if the Secretary of State determines that such 
     country or entity has failed to make sufficient progress 
     towards the goals of the Compact.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE TO 
                   CENTRAL AMERICA.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the President $577,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to carry out 
     the United States Strategy for Engagement in Central America 
     in accordance with subsection (b). Funds authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out this section shall be used only for 
     the purposes set forth in subsection (b).
       (b) Use of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (a) shall be made available for 
     assistance to Central American countries to implement the 
     United States Strategy for Engagement in Central America, 
     including efforts to carry out sections 3, 4, 5, and 6.
       (2) Effective targeting of assistance.--The Secretary of 
     State shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, 
     assistance provided to Central American countries to carry 
     out this Act is obligated and expended on projects, programs, 
     or activities within such countries, in order to better 
     support inclusive economic growth and development, combat 
     corruption, strengthen democratic institutions, and improve 
     security conditions in such countries.
       (c) Inter-American Foundation.--Not less than $10,000,000 
     of the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to 
     subsection (a) shall be made available to the Inter-American 
     Foundation to address the root causes of migration from 
     Central America.
       (d) Northern Triangle.--Not less than $490,000,000 of the 
     funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection 
     (a) shall be made available for programming in the Northern 
     Triangle counties.
       (e) Women and Children Protection Compacts.--Not less than 
     $20,000,000 of the funds authorized to be appropriated 
     pursuant to subsection (a) shall be made available to provide 
     assistance pursuant to agreements authorized by section 6(c).

     SEC. 8. CONDITIONS ON ASSISTANCE TO THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

       (a) In General.--Of the funds authorized to be appropriated 
     to the President by this Act that are made available for 
     assistance for each of the central governments of the 
     Northern Triangle countries, 50 percent of such funds for 
     each such central government may only be obligated with 
     respect to each such country after the Secretary of State 
     certifies and reports to the appropriate congressional 
     committees that such central government is meeting the 
     following conditions:
       (1) Informing its citizens of the dangers of the journey to 
     the southwest border of the United States.
       (2) Combating all human smuggling and trafficking entities.
       (3) Countering the trafficking of illicit drugs, firearms, 
     wildlife, natural resources, and other contraband.

[[Page H5783]]

       (4) Combating corruption, including investigating and 
     prosecuting current and former government officials credibly 
     alleged to be corrupt.
       (5) Implementing reforms, policies, and programs to 
     increase transparency and strengthen public institutions and 
     the rule of law.
       (6) Countering the activities of criminal gangs, drug 
     traffickers, and transnational criminal organizations.
       (7) Ensuring that human rights are respected by national 
     security forces.
       (8) Investigating and prosecuting in the civilian justice 
     system government personnel who are credibly alleged to have 
     violated human rights.
       (9) Cooperating with commissions against corruption and 
     impunity and with regional human rights entities.
       (10) Supporting programs to reduce poverty, expand 
     education and vocational training for at-risk youth, create 
     jobs, and promote equitable economic growth, particularly in 
     areas contributing to large numbers of migrants.
       (11) Creating a professional, accountable civilian police 
     force and ending the role of the military in internal 
     policing.
       (12) Protecting the right of political opposition parties 
     and other members of civil society to operate without 
     interference.
       (13) Implementing tax reforms, ensuring property rights, 
     and supporting increased private investment in the region.
       (14) Resolving commercial disputes.
       (b) Reprogramming.--
       (1) In general.--Funds withheld pursuant to the limitation 
     described in subsection (a) shall be made available for 
     programs in the Northern Triangle that do not directly 
     support the central governments of such countries.
       (2) Exception.--The limitation described in subsection (a) 
     does not apply to funds authorized to be appropriated by this 
     Act for humanitarian assistance or global food security 
     programs.

     SEC. 9. ENHANCING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO ON 
                   THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

       (a) Enhanced Engagement With the Government of Mexico on 
     the Northern Triangle.--The Secretary of State shall 
     collaborate with the Government of Mexico to--
       (1) enhance development, particularly in collaboration with 
     the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
     International Development, the President and Chief Executive 
     Officer of the Inter-American Foundation, the Chief Executive 
     Officer of the United States International Development 
     Finance Corporation, and the heads of other relevant Federal 
     agencies, in southern Mexico; and
       (2) strengthen security cooperation at Mexico's shared 
     border with Guatemala and Belize.
       (b) Strategy.--
       (1) Elements.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy 
     to carry out the collaboration described in subsection (a).
       (2) Consultation.--In developing the strategy required 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary of State shall consult 
     with nongovernmental organizations in Mexico, Belize, the 
     Northern Triangle countries, and the United States.
       (3) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
     paragraph (1) shall be made publicly available on the website 
     of the Department of State.

     SEC. 10. TARGETING ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS MIGRATION FROM 
                   COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act and annually thereafter for each of the three 
     succeeding years, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report that contains the following:
       (1) Raw data from Federal agencies on the number of 
     migrants coming to the United States from each community or 
     geographic area in the Northern Triangle countries, with a 
     specific focus on communities targeted by United States 
     foreign assistance.
       (2) An assessment of whether United States foreign 
     assistance to the Northern Triangle countries is effectively 
     reaching the communities from which individuals are 
     migrating.
       (3) An assessment of the extent to which United States 
     foreign assistance is mitigating Northern Triangle migration 
     to the United States, including a breakdown of effectiveness 
     by project and implementer.
       (4) An assessment of the extent to which the Department of 
     State and the United States Agency for International 
     Development are adjusting foreign assistance programming in 
     the Northern Triangle countries as migration patterns shift.
       (5) An assessment of how the Department of State, the 
     United States Agency for International Development, and other 
     implementers of United States foreign assistance in the 
     Northern Triangle are measuring the impact of programs on 
     migration trends.
       (6) An assessment of how the Department of State, the 
     United States Agency for International Development, and other 
     implementers of United States foreign assistance in the 
     Northern Triangle are implementing a public diplomacy 
     strategy that is widely informing local citizens about United 
     States Government assistance and the dangers of illegal 
     migration to the United States, including an assessment of 
     the effectiveness of such strategy on curbing such illegal 
     migration.
       (7) An assessment of the extent to which the governments of 
     the Northern Triangle countries are addressing drivers of 
     migration, including efforts to increase economic prosperity, 
     citizen security, anti-corruption efforts, democratic 
     principles, and rule of law.
       (8) An assessment of how the Northern Triangle countries 
     are educating their citizens about the dangers of illegal 
     migration to the United States and the effectiveness of such 
     educational efforts on curbing such illegal migration.

     SEC. 11. TARGETED SANCTIONS TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN THE 
                   NORTHERN TRIANGLE.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) corruption in the Northern Triangle countries by 
     private citizens and select officials in local, regional, and 
     federal governments significantly damages the economies of 
     such countries and deprives citizens of opportunities;
       (2) corruption in the Northern Triangle is facilitated and 
     carried out not only by private citizens and select officials 
     from those countries but also in many instances by 
     individuals from third countries; and
       (3) imposing targeted sanctions on individuals from 
     throughout the world and particularly in the Western 
     Hemisphere who are engaged in acts of significant corruption 
     that impact the Northern Triangle countries will benefit the 
     citizens and governments of such countries.
       (b) Imposition of Sanctions.--The President shall impose 
     the sanctions described in subsection (c) with respect to a 
     foreign person who the President determines on or after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act to have knowingly engaged 
     in significant corruption in a Northern Triangle country, 
     including the following:
       (1) Corruption related to government contracts.
       (2) Bribery and extortion.
       (3) The facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of 
     corruption, including through money laundering.
       (c) Sanctions Described.--
       (1) In general.--The sanctions described in this subsection 
     are the following:
       (A) Asset blocking.--The blocking, in accordance with the 
     International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 
     et seq.), of all transactions in all property and interests 
     in property of a foreign person if such property and 
     interests in property are in the United States, come within 
     the United States, or are or come within the possession or 
     control of a United States person.
       (B) Ineligibility for visas and admission to the united 
     states.--In the case of a foreign person who is an 
     individual, such foreign person is--
       (i) inadmissible to the United States;
       (ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to 
     enter the United States; and
       (iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into 
     the United States or to receive any other benefit under the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
       (C) Current visas revoked.--
       (i) In general.--The issuing consular officer or the 
     Secretary of State, (or a designee of the Secretary of State) 
     shall, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration 
     and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), revoke any visa or 
     other entry documentation issued to a foreign person 
     regardless of when the visa or other entry documentation is 
     issued.
       (ii) Effect of revocation.--A revocation under clause (i) 
     shall--

       (I) take effect immediately; and
       (II) automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry 
     documentation that is in the foreign person's possession.

       (2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to 
     violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of a 
     measure imposed pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) or any 
     regulation, license, or order issued to carry out such 
     paragraph shall be subject to the penalties specified in 
     subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International 
     Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same 
     extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in 
     subsection (a) of such section.
       (3) Exception to comply with international obligations.--
     Sanctions under subparagraph (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) 
     shall not apply with respect to a foreign person if admitting 
     or paroling such person into the United States is necessary 
     to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement 
     regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at 
     Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 
     21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, 
     or other applicable international obligations.
       (d) Implementation; Regulatory Authority.--
       (1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all 
     authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the 
     International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 
     and 1704) to carry out this section.
       (2) Regulatory authority.--The President shall issue such 
     regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry 
     out this section.
       (e) National Interest Waiver.--The President may waive the 
     application of the

[[Page H5784]]

     sanctions under subsection (c) if the President--
       (1) determines that such a waiver is in the national 
     interest of the United States; and
       (2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees a 
     notice of and justification for the waiver.
       (f) Termination.--The authority to impose sanctions under 
     subsection (b), and any sanctions imposed pursuant to such 
     authority, shall expire on the date that is three years after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (g) Exception Relating to Importation of Goods.--The 
     authorities and requirements to impose sanctions authorized 
     under this Act shall not include the authority or requirement 
     to impose sanctions on the importation of goods.
       (h) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on the 
     Judiciary, and the Committee on Financial Services of the 
     House of Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     the Judiciary, and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
     Urban Affairs of the Senate.
       (2) Good.--The term ``good'' means any article, natural or 
     man-made substance, material, supply or manufactured product, 
     including inspection and test equipment, and excluding 
     technical data.
       (3) Person from a northern triangle country.--The term 
     ``person from a Northern Triangle country'' means--
       (A) a citizen of a Northern Triangle country; or
       (B) an entity organized under the laws of a Northern 
     Triangle country or any jurisdiction within a Northern 
     Triangle country.

     SEC. 12. REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE ADVANCE NOTIFICATION TO 
                   CONGRESS OF SECURITY ASSISTANCE TO NORTHERN 
                   TRIANGLE COUNTRIES.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the President may not provide security assistance to a 
     Northern Triangle country during the 3-year period beginning 
     on the date of the enactment of this Act until 30 days after 
     the date on which the President has provided to the 
     appropriate congressional committees notice of such proposed 
     provision of security assistance.
       (b) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of 
     subsection (a) on a case-by-case basis if the President--
       (1) determines it is in the national security interests of 
     the United States to do so; and
       (2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees 
     such determination and the rationale for the determination.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (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) Security assistance.--The term ``security 
     assistance''--
       (A) has the meaning given such term in section 502B(d)(2) 
     of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304); and
       (B) includes assistance under any international security 
     assistance program conducted under any other provision of law 
     not specified in section 502B(d)(2) of such Act.

     SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--Except as 
     otherwise provided, the term ``appropriate congressional 
     committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate.
       (2) Northern triangle.--The term ``Northern Triangle'' 
     means the region of Central America that encompasses the 
     countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
       (3) Northern triangle countries.--The term ``Northern 
     Triangle countries'' means the countries of El Salvador, 
     Guatemala, and Honduras.
       (4) Transnational criminal organization.--The term 
     ``transnational criminal organization'' has the meaning given 
     the term ``significant transnational criminal organization'' 
     in Executive Order 13581 (July 24, 2011).

     SEC. 14. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  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 in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 2615.
  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 such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure, and I want to 
start by thanking Mr. McCaul for his partnership in authoring this 
legislation. Through our close, bipartisan collaboration, we have 
before us today legislation that supports the people of Central America 
and strengthens our national security by addressing the root causes of 
child and family migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
  I was leading a congressional delegation to El Salvador with Mr. 
McCaul in March when the Trump administration decided to cut off 
foreign assistance in the region, a decision that I view as misguided 
and counterproductive.
  In San Salvador, we saw up close the direct, meaningful impact of our 
USAID investments. Our delegation visited with an incredible group of 
young people who were being trained in computer programming and offered 
a path to a better life.
  The United States is helping to provide opportunities for a better 
future for the people of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras so 
children and families are able to build prosperous lives for 
themselves, and they aren't forced to make the dangerous journey to our 
southern border.
  But it is not just development assistance we are providing. In San 
Salvador, we met with FBI agents leading our transnational antigang 
task force. With State Department funding, the FBI established these 
task forces in the Northern Triangle over the past decade to counter 
the growth of MS-13, the 18th Street gang, and other violent criminals.
  These units train Salvadorian police officers and work closely with 
them to dismantle gang leadership structures in the United States and 
Central America. They make our communities and constituents safer.
  So I was pleased to return to Washington and partner with Mr. McCaul 
to draft this legislation authorizing our assistance to Central America 
for fiscal year 2020. The bill also includes strong conditions on any 
assistance that goes to the central governments of the Northern 
Triangle countries.
  In addition, it lays out a series of actions to be taken by the 
Secretary of State, the USAID Administrator, and other U.S. Government 
officials to promote inclusive economic growth and development, combat 
corruption, strengthen domestic institutions, and improve security 
conditions in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
  Lastly, it puts in place targeted visa bans and asset freezes for 
corrupt individuals from the Northern Triangle countries.
  Endemic corruption by government and nongovernment actors in Central 
America is hurting the region's poor and most vulnerable people, and we 
should do whatever we can to stop it. Today, the House of 
Representatives must stand together to pass this commonsense piece of 
legislation that helps the United States and families and children in 
the Northern Triangle.
  So, I again thank Mr. McCaul for his partnership and for working with 
me to address the root causes of migration to the U.S. from Central 
America. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                     Washington, DC, June 5, 2019.
     Hon. Jerrold Nadler,
     Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     2615, the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement 
     Act.
       I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this 
     legislation. I recognize that the bill contains provisions 
     that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on the 
     Judiciary. I acknowledge that the Committee will not seek a 
     referral of or formally consider H.R. 2615 and agree that the 
     inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not 
     waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters 
     contained in H.R. 2615 which fall within your Committee's 
     Rule X jurisdiction.

[[Page H5785]]

       I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in 
     the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the 
     bill. I appreciate your cooperation regarding this 
     legislation and look forward to continuing to work with you 
     as this measure moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Eliot L. Engel,
                                                         Chairman.
                                  ____
                                  
                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                     Washington, DC, July 8, 2019.
     Hon. Eliot L. Engel,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: This is to advise you that the Committee 
     on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the 
     provisions in H.R. 2615, the ``United States-Northern 
     Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act,'' that fall within our Rule 
     X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those 
     provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your 
     including them in the bill for consideration on the House 
     floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to waive 
     sequential referral, with the understanding that we do not 
     thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those 
     provisions or their subject matters.
       In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar 
     legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the 
     right to request an appropriate number of conferees to 
     address any concerns with these or similar provisions that 
     may arise in conference.
       Please place this letter into the Congressional Record 
     during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank 
     you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked 
     regarding this matter and others between our committees.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Jerrold Nadler,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the United States-Northern 
Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, for which I am proud to be the lead 
Republican cosponsor, and I want to thank Chairman Engel for his 
bipartisan work on this very important piece of legislation that was 
really the product of a trip that we took down to Latin America.
  This bill requires the State Department and USAID to develop and fund 
a 5-year strategy to address the drivers of illegal immigration to our 
southern border. The bill requires State and USAID to develop annual 
benchmarks to track the progress of programs in stemming migration 
flows. It requires those to be reported to Congress, increasing our 
ability to oversee U.S. foreign assistance to the Northern Triangle.
  As Chairman Engel mentioned, we recently traveled to El Salvador 
earlier this year and saw the hard work that the U.S. Government is 
doing to support international law enforcement investigations to 
capture MS-13 gang members. The bill also prioritizes security 
assistance to combat transnational crime and to improve security and 
counternarcotics efforts at their borders and ports.
  This legislation also supports the amazing work of faith-based 
organizations that are engaged with the private sector to provide 
employment for youth and prevent them from joining gangs.
  This bill builds on existing efforts to increase coordination with 
Mexico in our shared efforts to curb illegal migration, spur economic 
development, and combat corruption in the Northern Triangle.
  I understand and share the President's frustration with the continued 
stream of migrants to our southern border, and as a native Texan, I 
understand the unique challenges caused by illegal migration to our 
border. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive solution and 
utilizing all tools at our disposal, including foreign assistance, 
which should be used.
  I also agree with the President that the governments of the Northern 
Triangle countries can and must do more to address the drivers of 
migration. This bill includes conditions that these governments must 
meet to receive assistance and requires the State Department to engage 
with these governments to track and ensure they are doing their part to 
address the crisis.
  Lastly, the bill authorizes targeted sanctions against individuals 
engaged in corruption that impacts the Northern Triangle, and so I urge 
my colleagues who believe that we must do all we can to address this 
humanitarian crisis on the border to support this legislation.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Engel, for his 
ongoing bipartisan work on this committee. I think we are probably the 
most bipartisan committee on the Hill, and I know Mr. Engel and I are 
both very proud of that accomplishment.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me thank Mr. McCaul, and it is a pleasure 
to work with him on matters like this.
  I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa).
  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I am proud to support Chairman Engel's H.R. 2615, the U.S.-Northern 
Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act.
  Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit the Northern 
Triangle and to meet with elected officials, law enforcement officials, 
and humanitarian organizations to discuss the difficult and dangerous 
conditions that force families and children to flee their homes in 
search of a better life. I discovered what we all knew: The root causes 
of the refugee crisis are, of course, violence and lack of economic 
opportunity.
  During my trip, I was encouraged by the positive impact and 
effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance and the changes it has made in 
Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. For example, U.S. programs have 
supported micro, small, and medium enterprises in El Salvador.
  During my trip, I also learned of China's interest to build a 
deepwater port and to buy coastline in the area. Clearly, it is in 
America's best strategic long-term interest to make sure that the area 
is economically stable and that the region is economically and 
politically stable.
  We must continue to invest in regional security and economic 
development to ensure that our neighbors are safe, strong, stable, and 
secure. And by ensuring our region is secure, we can build strong and 
lasting peace and prosperity and build markets for American products 
and services.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this vital legislation.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Providing opportunities for the most vulnerable individuals from El 
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras is common sense, and working to 
address the root causes of child and family migration is a long-term 
solution that we should all be able to agree on. It is the right thing 
to do, but it is also in our own interest.
  And while U.S. foreign assistance is crucial, it is not a gift. It 
must come with strong conditions. Our legislation puts in place such 
conditions for our assistance to the Northern Triangle and includes 
tough, smart, targeted sanctions to combat corruption.
  By passing this bill today, Congress can send, and will send, a loud 
and clear message that we stand with the people of the Northern 
Triangle countries to make their countries safer and more prosperous so 
they aren't forced to make the dangerous trek here. We can also send a 
message to China and Russia that the U.S. will not abandon our friends 
and partners in Central America.
  Let me conclude by thanking Mr. McCaul for his partnership on this 
measure. We truly worked on this together. We were together in Central 
America when we got the word of the potential cutoff of funding, and we 
worked closely together in a bipartisan way to make sure that that 
wouldn't be the case.
  So I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I thank Mr. 
McCaul again, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2615, 
the ``United States-Northern Triangle Enhancement Engagement Act.''
  H.R. 2615 supports the people of Central America and strengthens 
United States national security by addressing the root causes of 
migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.
  H.R. 2615 will provide reports on drivers of migration from the 
Northern Triangle to the United States and will identify methods for 
the United States to strengthen fragile democracies in the region.
  Thousands of immigrants flee the Northern Triangle to seek asylum and 
refuge in the United States of America.
  The number of asylum seekers worldwide originating from the Northern 
Triangle reached 110,000 in 2015, a five-fold increase from 2012.

[[Page H5786]]

  Poverty, corrupt police forces, gang violence, political corruption, 
and economic instability exacerbate living conditions in the Northern 
Triangle.
  Homicide rates are extremely high for Central American countries; El 
Salvador is leading the way with a rate of 82.84 per 100,000 persons.
  Salvadorans, Hondurans, and Guatemalans leave their homes in search 
of physical security, democracy, freedom, and civil liberties .
  They look toward the U.S. as a beacon of hope and prosperity, often 
traveling miles while battling hardships and risks to pursue the 
American Dream.
  This bill seeks to combat corruption among political institutions in 
the region to reinforce security and lead to the development of civil 
society.
  We must address the origins and the structural causes of migration to 
address the issues that lead to mass migration to our southern borders.
  Our agencies are unequipped and are incapable of meeting the demand 
of sheltering and processing immigrants who arrive at our ports of 
entry.
  Our nation's security depends on the stability of the Northern 
Triangle.
  We must act to ensure that the countries in this region return to a 
functioning democracy, free of corruption and violence.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2615 
to assist in reestablishing a democratic and peaceful societies in the 
countries of the Northern Triangle.
  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. 2615, 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.

                          ____________________