[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 117 (Thursday, June 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3445-S3451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 1958. Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself and Mr. Rubio) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4049, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
TITLE __--ADVANCING COMPETITIVENESS, TRANSPARENCY, AND SECURITY IN THE
AMERICAS
SEC. __01. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Advancing Competitiveness,
Transparency, and Security in the Americas Act of 2020''.
SEC. __02. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The People's Republic of China has dramatically
increased engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean
since 2004. Latin America is the second largest destination
for Chinese foreign direct investment. China has become the
top trading partner of Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.
China's trade with Latin America has grown from
$17,000,000,000 in 2002 to $306,000,000,000 in 2018.
(2) Between 2005 and 2018, the People's Republic of China
provided Latin America with an estimated $141,000,000,000 in
development loans and other assistance. The annual amount of
such loans and assistance consistently surpasses the annual
sovereign lending to Latin America and the Caribbean from
either the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank.
(3) The People's Republic of China--
(A) is investing extensively across the region's extractive
sector and agricultural supply chains to more effectively
control raw materials supply and pricing;
(B) has acquired and built new port facilities and other
transport and energy infrastructure in Brazil, Panama, Costa
Rica, El Salvador, and elsewhere in the region to expand its
footprint in Latin America; and
(C) has developed strong partnerships and engaged in
extensive deal-making in telecommunications and other
technology-intensive sectors in the Latin American and
Caribbean region.
(4) In 2015, the People's Republic of China and countries
of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
(CELAC) held the first meeting of the China-CELAC Ministerial
Forum, at which they agreed to a 5-year cooperation plan
regarding politics, security, trade, investment, finance,
infrastructure, energy, resources, industry, agriculture,
science, and people-to-people exchanges. China is also active
in other regional institutions, including multilateral
development banks.
(5) The United States Southern Command has warned that
China's space and telecommunications ventures in Latin
America and the Caribbean have created United States
commercial and security vulnerabilities.
(6) China has spent more than $244,000,000,000 on energy
projects worldwide since 2000, 25 percent of which was spent
in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although the majority of
this spending was for oil, gas, and coal, China has also been
the largest investor in clean energy globally for almost a
decade.
(7) China promotes the repressive use of technology--
(A) by selling crowd control weapons and riot gear used
against demonstrators; and
(B) by developing tracking systems that can be used by
governments to surveil and monitor their citizens.
(8) Although China did not originally include the Latin
America and Caribbean region in its Belt and Road
Initiative--
(A) at a meeting with the Community of Latin American and
Caribbean States in January 2018, China invited Latin America
and the Caribbean to participate in the Belt and Road
Initiative, referring to the region as a natural fit for a
program that aims to improve connectivity between land and
sea through jointly-built logistic, electricity and
information pathways; and
(B) 19 Latin American and Caribbean countries have signed
bilateral Belt and Road Cooperation Agreements since 2017.
(9) The People's Republic of China offers to finance
projects in Latin America and the Caribbean on deceptively
easy terms that frequently lead recipient countries to become
dependent on, and deeply indebted to, China. Chinese
companies frequently engage in corrupt and exploitative
practices, including bribery, predatory lending, and project
requirements that--
(A) provide little or no benefit to the host country; and
(B) facilitate corrupt practices.
(10) The Government of China expects that Chinese companies
will invest the equivalent of $250,000,000,000 in Latin
America and the Caribbean by 2025.
(11) Since 2017, China has used its increasing economic
influence in Latin America and the Caribbean to encourage
countries, including El Salvador, Panama, and the Dominican
Republic, to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Of the
17 countries that still maintain diplomatic relations with
Taiwan, 9 are in the Western Hemisphere, namely: Belize,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, St. Kitts and
Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
SEC. __03. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the Sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States shares extensive economic and
commercial relations, democratic values, cultural ties, and
geographic proximity with the nations of the Western
Hemisphere;
(2) increased United States engagement with countries in
the Western Hemisphere is essential to addressing initiatives
by rival powers, such as China, to increase their presence
and influence over governments in Latin American and the
Caribbean at the expense of strategic United States' economic
and security interests;
(3) the United States is uniquely positioned to promote the
rule of law and support the strengthening of democratic
institutions and individual freedoms in Latin America and the
Caribbean, while improving the quality of life of citizens
throughout the Western Hemisphere;
(4) China's growing presence in the Western Hemisphere--
(A) facilitates the survival of autocratic and anti-
democratic regimes, such as the Maduro regime and the
Government of Cuba, by acting as a lender of last resort and
providing other forms of economic support;
(B) assists such regimes in undermining democratic norms
through weapons sales and the proliferation of surveillance
technology; and
(C) provides governments with the resources to implement
irresponsible economic policies to the detriment of its
citizens.
(5) the United States Government should continue to assert
a positive presence in the Western Hemisphere based upon--
(A) supporting the rule of law, combating corruption, and
advancing digital security as a means to improve prospects
for regional growth and development and mitigate the unfair
advantage accrued to those that engage in unfair and illegal
practices;
(B) facilitating technical assistance and knowledge-sharing
programs that strengthen regional governments' and
businesses' capacity for engaging in sound negotiations and
contracts, protect their economic interests, and protect the
economic interests of their citizens;
[[Page S3446]]
(C) engaging in development investments that strengthen
United States public and private sector ties to Western
Hemisphere governments and businesses, promote shared
conviction that open markets and fair competition are
critical to sustained economic growth, enhance regional
businesses' ability to move up the value chain, and are
environmentally sustainable;
(D) raising awareness regarding how the proliferation of
Chinese economic largesse and the increased adoption of
Chinese surveillance technology can harm Western Hemisphere
economies and undermine democratic institutions;
(E) empowering local and international media and civil
society to carefully monitor investment activity in Latin
America and the Caribbean to ensure accountability and
uncover the malign affects of greater Chinese engagement,
including a lack of transparency, facilitation of corruption,
unsustainable debt, environmental damage, opaque labor and
business practices of Chinese firms, and the increased
likelihood of projects that leave host countries in
unsustainable debt; and
(F) promoting greater economic engagement between the
United States and other countries of the Western Hemisphere
to spur economic development in the region and increase
economic opportunities for the United States private sector.
SEC. __04. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to expand United States' engagement in the Western
Hemisphere through economic and public diplomacy that
strengthens political and economic relations, reinforces
shared democratic values, and facilitates economic
development in the Western Hemisphere; and
(2) to promote United States economic prosperity through
increased engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean.
SEC. __05. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Caribbean.--The term ``Caribbean'' does not include
Cuba, unless it is specifically named.
(2) Latin america and the caribbean.--The term ``Latin
America and the Caribbean'' does not include Cuba, unless
Cuba is specifically named.
(3) Rule of law.--The term ``rule of law'' refers to a
durable system of institutions and processes founded on the
universal principles of--
(A) accountability;
(B) just laws that protect fundamental freedoms;
(C) open and transparent government processes; and
(D) accessible and impartial dispute resolution.
SEC. __06. ASSESSING THE INTENTIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
(a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives.
(b) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, working through the Assistant Secretary of State for
the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and in coordination
with the Director of National Intelligence and the Director
of the Central Intelligence Agency, shall submit a report to
the appropriate congressional committees that assesses the
nature, intent, and impact to United States strategic
interests of--
(1) Chinese economic activity in Latin America and the
Caribbean, such as foreign direct investment, development
financing, oil-for-loans deals, other preferential trading
arrangements, and projects related to China's Belt and Road
Initiative;
(2) the involvement of Chinese government entities and
state-owned enterprises in infrastructure projects in Latin
America and the Caribbean, such as--
(A) the building, renovating, and operating of port
facilities, including the Margarita Port of Panama, Posorja
Deepwater Port in Ecuador, and the Port of Paranagua in
Brazil;
(B) the building and maintenance of the region's telecom
infrastructure, including the installation of 5G
technologies, by Chinese companies, including Huawei, ZTE,
and possibly others, and the likelihood that these companies
will be the dominant providers of telecommunications
infrastructure and associated products and services in the
region, with great influence over Latin American government
telecom entities;
(C) the building of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign
Trade in Kingston, Jamaica and other government facilities in
the region; and
(D) the building of Ecuador's Coca Codo Sinclair Dam and
other energy infrastructure projects in the region.
(3) Chinese military activity in the region, including
military education and training programs, weapons sales, and
space-related activities in the military or civilian spheres,
such as the major satellite and space control station China
recently constructed in Argentina;
(4) Chinese security activity in Latin America and the
Caribbean, including sales of surveillance and monitoring
technology to regional governments such as Venezuela, Cuba,
and Ecuador, and the potential use of such technology as
tools of Chinese intelligence;
(5) Chinese intelligence engagement in Latin America and
the Caribbean, and the development of dual-use platforms;
(6) the nature of the People's Republic of China's presence
in the region, and whether it is competitive, threatening, or
benign to the United States' national interests; and
(7) Chinese diplomatic activity aimed at influencing the
decisions, procedures, and programs of multilateral
organizations, including the Organization of American States
(OAS) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), as well
the work in Latin America and the Caribbean of the World Bank
and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
(c) Form.--The report required under subsection (b) shall
be submitted in unclassified form and shall include
classified annexes.
Subtitle A--Increasing Competitiveness in Latin America and the
Caribbean
SEC. __11. DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A STRATEGY TO INCREASE
ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND PROMOTE THE RULE
OF LAW.
(a) Strategy Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury,
the Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney General, the United
States Trade Representative, the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, and the Chief
Executive Officer of the United States International
Development Finance Corporation, shall submit a multi-year
strategy for increasing United States economic
competitiveness and promoting the rule of law in Latin
American and Caribbean countries, particularly in the areas
of investment, sustainable development, commercial relations,
anti-corruption activities, and infrastructure projects, to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
(b) Additional Elements.--The strategy submitted pursuant
to subsection (a) shall include a plan of action to--
(1) assist Latin American and Caribbean countries with the
sustainable development of their economies;
(2) promote the rule of law as a means to ensure fair
competition, combat corruption, and strengthen legal
structures critical to robust democratic governance;
(3) identify and mitigate obstacles to economic growth in
Latin America and the Caribbean;
(4) maintain free and transparent access to the Internet
and digital infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere; and
(5) facilitate a more competitive environment for United
States' businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean.
(c) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter,
the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of
the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney
General, the United States Trade Representative, and the
leadership of the United States International Development
Finance Corporation, shall brief the congressional committees
listed in subsection (a) on the implementation of this
subtitle, including examples of successes and challenges.
SEC. __12. STRENGTHENING UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION ENGAGEMENT IN
THE CARIBBEAN AND THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) United States support for the development of
competitive industries in Latin America and the Caribbean,
which are necessary for workforce development, increased
wages, and further economic development, will provide an
opportunity to strengthen United States competitiveness;
(2) the reliance of the BUILD Act of 2018 on the Gini
coefficient to measure eligibility for development financing
from the United States International Development Finance
Corporation would exclude the Caribbean's 12 countries from
qualifying for development financing; and
(3) given the geographic proximity of Caribbean countries
to the United States, the economic stability of Caribbean
nations is important to United States national security
interests.
(b) Eligibility of Caribbean Countries for Financing
Through the United States International Development Finance
Corporation.--Section 1412(c) of the BUILD Act of 2018
(division F of Public Law 115-254) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(3) Inclusion of caribbean countries.--Notwithstanding
paragraphs (1) and (2), Caribbean countries (excluding Cuba)
shall be included among the countries receiving prioritized
support under title II during the 10-year period beginning on
the date of the enactment of the Advancing Competitiveness,
Transparency, and Security in the Americas Act of 2020.''.
(c) Prioritizing Engagement in the Western Hemisphere.--
Section 1412 of the BUILD
[[Page S3447]]
Act of 2018, as amended by subsection (c), is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Foreign Policy Guidance.--The Secretary of State, in
accordance with the priorities identified in subsection (c),
shall provide foreign policy guidance to the Corporation to
prioritize development financing to Latin American and
Caribbean countries (excluding Cuba) by dedicating not less
than 40 percent of development financing and equity
investments to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
during the 10-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of the Advancing Competitiveness, Transparency, and
Security in the Americas Act of 2020.''.
SEC. __13. ADVANCING REGULATION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO PROTECT HOST
COUNTRIES' NATIONAL INTERESTS.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that the Committee on Foreign
Investment in the United States (referred to in this
subsection as ``CFIUS''), as set forth in section 721 of the
Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565)--
(1) protects United States national security interests that
are related to foreign direct investment in the United States
economy; and
(2) provides a mechanism by which the United States
Government can respond to concerns that investments may be
driven by political, rather than economic, motives.
(b) In General.--The Secretary of State, working through
the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business
Affairs and the Assistant Secretary of State for
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, in
coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall offer
to provide technical assistance to partner governments in
Latin America and the Caribbean to assist members of national
legislatures and executive branch officials in establishing
legislative and regulatory frameworks that are similar to the
frameworks set forth in section 721 of the Defense Production
Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565).
(c) Purposes.--In carrying out subsection (b), the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Treasury, shall actively encourage partner governments--
(1) to protect their respective country's national security
interests;
(2) to protect the national security interests of their
allies; and
(3) to review and approve, suspend, or prohibit investments
and projects, on a case-by-case basis and in the aggregate,
to evaluate and assess their potential risk to such national
security interests.
(d) Diplomatic Engagement.--In providing the technical
assistance described in subsection (b), the Secretary of
State shall conduct diplomatic engagement with legislators
from countries vital to the interests of the United States to
encourage them to adopt legislation described in subsections
(b) and (c) to regulate infrastructure development projects
(e) Strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a
strategy for carrying out the activities described in
subsections (b) and (c) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of
the Senate;
(4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(5) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives; and
(6) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.
(f) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every
180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide a
briefing regarding the activities described in subsections
(b) and (c) and the strategy submitted under subsection (E)
to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of State $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to
carry out the activities set forth in subsections (b) and
(c).
(2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification
requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic
Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and the International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Fund under section 489 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291h), to the
extent that such funds are expended.
SEC. __14. STRENGTHENING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT SELECTION AND
PROCUREMENT PROCESSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Pervasive corruption, as evidenced by the Odebrecht
construction scandal and the Panama Papers, is an ingrained
and longstanding characteristic of doing business in Latin
America and the Caribbean.
(2) China further exacerbates the levels of corruption in
the region by engaging in corrupt practices when pursuing
secure infrastructure contracts and procurement agreements.
(3) Procurement agreements not based exclusively on cost,
quality, and necessity can lead to projects that do not serve
the best interests of the public.
(b) Engagement Initiatives.--The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator of the United States
AGency for International Development, the Chief Executive
Officer of United States International Development Finance
Corporation, the Director of the United States Trade
Development Agency, and representatives of the Department of
the Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance, shall plan and
carry out initiatives to engage with governments in Latin
America and the Caribbean for the purpose of strengthening
infrastructure project selection processes and procurement
processes, including--
(1) discussing, devising, and disseminating best practices,
frameworks, and tools that--
(A) ensure greater adherence to the rule of law;
(B) promote greater transparency in infrastructure, trade,
and development projects; and
(C) more effectively regulate tender processes to minimize
opportunities for corrupt practices;
(2) strengthening legal structures as needed to ensure
business agreements are transparent, clear, and enforceable;
(3) increasing the capacity of Latin American and Caribbean
governments to effectively assess and negotiate investment
opportunities in accordance with applicable laws, including
commercial and public infrastructure projects;
(4) promoting legislation that codifies best practices in
applying the rule of law to infrastructure, trade, and
development projects;
(5) promoting the adoption of infrastructure project
selection processes that include environmental impact studies
that prioritize minimal environmental impact, strong
environmental standards, and social safeguards for vulnerable
and marginalized populations, including indigenous and Afro-
Latino populations;
(6) emphasizing differences in business practices between
the United States and China, particularly those relating to
the rule of law, transparency, and financing; and
(7) fostering and enabling economic and technical data
sharing relating to contract costs, structuring, and terms,
including loan terms, cost overruns, and quality assurance,
among regional governments and the United States.
(c) Consultation.--During the planning of the initiatives
described in subsection (b), the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, the Chief Executive
Officer of the United States International Development
Finance Corporation, the Director of the United States Trade
Development Agency's Global Procurement Initiative, and
representatives of the Department of the Treasury's Office of
Technical Assistance, shall consult with representatives of
the private sector and nongovernmental organizations in the
United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
(d) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days
thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide a briefing
regarding the initiatives described in subsection (c) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(e) Baseline Assessment.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall submit a report to the congressional committees
referred to in subsection (d) that assesses, based on
credible indices of the performance of the rule of law
(including the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index),
the progress made by Latin American and Caribbean governments
toward strengthening the rule of law, reducing corruption,
and creating greater transparency in business practices,
including through--
(1) standardizing and regulating procurement practices; and
(2) streamlining, modernizing, and digitizing records for
public procurement and customs duties.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of State for fiscal year 2020, $5,000,000 to
carry out the activities set forth in subsections (b), (c),
and (d).
(2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification
requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic
Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) to the extent that such funds
are expended.
SEC. __15. PROMOTING THE RULE OF LAW IN DIGITAL GOVERNANCE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
United States engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean
regarding digital infrastructure and security should--
(1) help protect privacy, civil liberties, and human
rights; and
(2) strengthen institutions aimed at fighting cybercrimes.
(b) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Department of Justice, shall conduct diplomatic
engagement to encourage and facilitate Latin American and
Caribbean governments' adoption of standards to address
cybercrimes, such as institutionalizing the recommendations
of the Organization of American States Ninth Meeting of
Ministers of Justice or Other Ministers or Attorneys General
of the Americas
[[Page S3448]]
Working Group on Cybercrime (December 2016: OEA/Ser. K/
XXXIV), including--
(1) adopting or updating procedural measures and
legislation necessary to ensure the collection and safe
custody of all forms of electronic evidence and their
admissibility in criminal proceedings and trials and to
enable States to assist one another in matters involving
electronic evidence, with due regard for rights to privacy
and due process;
(2) developing and implementing national strategies to
deter, investigate, and prosecute cybercrime as part of a
broader and more coordinated effort to protect the
information technology systems and networks of citizens,
businesses, and governments;
(3) continuing to develop partnerships among Latin American
and Caribbean officials responsible for preventing,
investigating, and prosecuting such crimes, and the private
sector, in order to streamline and improve the procurement of
information in the context of mutual assistance proceedings;
and
(4) working, in cooperation with like-minded democracies in
international organizations, to advance standards for digital
governance and promote a free and open Internet.
(c) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every
180 days thereafter until the date that is 5 years after such
date of enactment, the Secretary of State shall brief the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
regarding the diplomatic engagement described in subsection
(b).
SEC. __16. INVESTING IN PROJECTS THAT STRENGTHEN THE REGION'S
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to a 2016 report by the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development, ``Working Paper No.
334: Harnessing the Digital Economy for Developing
Countries''--
(A) the digital economy fosters growth and productivity and
supports inclusive development by improving accessibility by
previously marginalized groups;
(B) access to digital infrastructure can provide these
groups with a whole range of markets and services, including
education, peer-to-peer lending, e-government, the sharing
economy, crowdfunding, and online job matching services; and
(C) adoption and usage of digital technologies raises the
productivity of capital and labor, enables the participation
in global value chains, and contributes to greater inclusion
by lowering transaction costs and expanding access to
information.
(2) According to the Inter-American Development Bank, the
combination of high rates of financial exclusion and high
mobile penetration and technological innovation represents a
great opportunity to use technology to enable financial
services to reach a part of the population in Latin America
that has been underserved by traditional financial services.
(b) Digital Infrastructure Access and Security Strategy.--
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of State, in coordination with
relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to Congress a
strategy and implementation plan for leveraging United States
expertise to help Latin American and Caribbean governments--
(1) develop and secure their digital infrastructure;
(2) protect technological assets, including data privacy;
(3) advance cybersecurity to protect against cybercrime and
cyberespionage; and
(4) create more equal access to economic opportunities for
their citizens.
(c) Challenges.--The strategy described in subsection (b)
shall address--
(1) the severe digital divides between more wealthy urban
centers and rural districts;
(2) the need for protection of citizens' privacy; and
(3) the need to expand existing initiatives to allow
public-private partnerships to increase access to micro-grids
and decentralized electronic systems.
(d) Consultation.--In creating the strategy described in
subsection (b), the Secretary of State shall consult with--
(1) leaders of the United States telecommunication
industry;
(2) other technology experts from nongovernmental
organizations and academia; and
(3) representatives from relevant United States Government
agencies.
(e) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every
180 days thereafter until the date that is 5 years after such
date of enactment, the Secretary of State shall brief the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives
regarding the implementation of the strategy described in
subsection (b).
SEC. __17. COUNTERING FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES IN THE
AMERICAS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, working through
the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business
Affairs and the Assistant Secretary of State for
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, shall
offer to provide technical assistance to partner governments
in Latin America and the Caribbean to assist members of
national legislatures and executive branch officials in
establishing legislative and regulatory frameworks that are
similar to those set forth in--
(1) section 30A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15
U.S.C. 78dd-1); and
(2) section 104 of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of
1977 (15 U.S.C. 78dd-2).
(b) Purposes.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary of State shall actively encourage partner
governments--
(1) to adopt standards that deter fraudulent business
practices and increase government and private sector
accountability in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
(2) to strengthen the investigative and prosecutorial
capacity of government institutions in Latin America and the
Caribbean to combat fraudulent business practices involving
public officials.
(c) Strategy Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall submit a strategy for carrying out the activities
described in subsections (a) and (b) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Consultation.--In formulating the strategy described in
subsection (c), the Secretary of State shall consult with the
Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General.
(e) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every
180 days thereafter until the date that is 5 years after such
date of enactment, the Secretary of State shall provide a
briefing regarding the activities described in subsections
(a) and (b) and the strategy submitted under subsection (c)
to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$10,000,000 to the Department of State for fiscal year 2021--
(A) to carry out the activities set forth in subsections
(a) and (b); and
(B) to develop the strategy submitted under subsection (c).
(2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification
requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic
Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and the International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Fund under section 489 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291h), to the
extent that such funds are expended.
SEC. __18. COUNTERING MALIGN BUSINESS PRACTICES.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) China has demonstrated a pattern of exploiting
international norms and domestic laws in foreign states to
its benefit, while ignoring such laws and norms when they
interfere with China's perceived national interests.
(2) China frequently relies on bribes to foreign government
officials to ensure that it receives favorable terms on
infrastructure deals and overstates the benefits or
underplays the risks of proposed infrastructure projects.
(b) Aliens Ineligible for Visas, Admission, or Parole.--An
alien described in this subsection is an alien whom the
Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security (or
a designee of either Secretary) knows, or has reason to
believe, is engaging or has engaged in acts of significant
corruption in a country in Latin America or the Caribbean
with representatives of, or on behalf of, the Government of
China, a Chinese state-owned entity, or a Chinese private
sector entity.
(c) Visas, Admission, or Parole.--An alien described in
subsection (b) is--
(1) inadmissible to the United States;
(2) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to
enter the United States; and
(3) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the
United States or to receive any benefit under the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(d) Current Visas Revoked.--
(1) In general.--An alien described in subsection (b) is
subject to revocation of any visa or other entry
documentation regardless of when the visa or other entry
documentation is or was issued.
(2) Immediate effect.--A revocation under paragraph (1)--
(A) shall take effect immediately; and
(B) shall automatically cancel any other valid visa or
entry documentation that is in the alien's possession.
(e) Exceptions.--Sanctions under subsections (c) and (d)
shall not apply with respect to an alien if admitting or
paroling the alien into the United States is necessary--
(1) 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; or
(2) to carry out or assist law enforcement activity in the
United States.
(f) National Security.--The President may waive the
application of this section with respect to an alien if the
President--
[[Page S3449]]
(1) determines that such a waiver is in the national
interest of the United States; and
(2) submits a notice of, and justification for, such waiver
to the appropriate congressional committees.
SEC. __19. PROMOTING GREATER ENERGY SECURITY AND LESSER
DEPENDENCE ON OIL IN THE CARIBBEAN.
(a) Policy Statement.--It is the policy of the United
States to help Caribbean countries--
(1) achieve greater energy security;
(2) lower their dependence on imported fuels; and
(3) eliminate the use of petroleum products for the
generation of electricity.
(b) Strategy Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall submit a multi-year strategy to the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives for regional
cooperation with Caribbean countries--
(1) to lower the region's dependence on imported fuels,
grow the region's domestic energy production for the
generation of electricity, and strengthen regional energy
security;
(2) to lower the region's dependence on oil in the
transportation sector;
(3) to increase the region's energy efficiency, energy
conservation, and investment in alternatives to imported
fuels;
(4) to improve grid reliability and modernize electricity
transmission networks;
(5) to advance deployment of innovative solutions to expand
community and individuals' access to electricity; and
(6) to help reform the region's energy markets to encourage
good regulatory governance and to promote a climate of
private sector investment.
(c) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (b)
shall include--
(1) a thorough review and inventory of United States
Government activities to promote energy security in the
Caribbean region and to reduce the region's reliance on oil
for electricity generation that are being carried out
bilaterally, regionally, and in coordination with
multilateral institutions;
(2) opportunities for marshaling regional cooperation--
(A) to overcome market barriers resulting from the small
size of Caribbean energy markets;
(B) to address the high transportation and infrastructure
costs faced by Caribbean countries;
(C) to ensure greater donor coordination between
governments, multilateral institutions, multilateral banks,
and private investors; and
(D) to expand regional financing opportunities to allow for
lower cost energy entrepreneurship;
(3) measures to encourage each Caribbean government to
ensure that it has--
(A) an independent utility regulator or equivalent;
(B) affordable access by third party investors to its
electrical grid with minimal regulatory interference;
(C) effective energy efficiency and energy conservation;
(D) programs to address technical and nontechnical issues;
(E) a plan to eliminate major market distortions;
(F) cost-reflective tariffs; and
(G) no tariffs or other taxes on clean energy solutions;
and
(4) recommendations for how United States policy,
technical, and economic assistance can be used in the
Caribbean region--
(A) to advance renewable energy development and the
incorporation of renewable technologies into existing energy
grids and the development and deployment of micro-grids where
appropriate and feasible;
(B) to create regional financing opportunities to allow for
lower cost energy entrepreneurship;
(C) to deploy transaction advisors in the region to help
attract private investment and break down any market or
regulatory barriers; and
(D) to establish a mechanism for each host government to
have access to independent legal advice--
(i) to speed the development of energy-related contracts;
and
(ii) to better protect the interests of Caribbean
governments and their citizens.
Subtitle B--Promoting Regional Security and Digital Security, and
Protecting Human Rights in the Americas
SEC. __21. ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF TELECOM AND DATA
NETWORKS AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) allegations of espionage, intellectual property theft,
hacking, and unscrupulous business practices, such as bribery
and kickbacks, often accompany the entrance of Chinese
companies into a region;
(2) the United States Government should assist Latin
American and Caribbean governments and businesses in
developing their own digital telecommunications networks to
render them less susceptible to Chinese malfeasance; and
(3) strengthening and implementing intellectual property
and cyber governance laws will boost innovation in the Latin
America and the Caribbean.
(b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of State, working
through the Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues of the
Department of State, and in consultation with the Attorney
General, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
and the Chief of the International Bureau of the Federal
Communications Commission shall offer to provide technical
assistance to partner governments in Latin America and the
Caribbean to strengthen their capacity to promote digital
security, including--
(1) defending the integrity of digital infrastructure and
digital assets, including data storage systems, such as Cloud
computing, proprietary data, personal information, and
proprietary technologies;
(2) detecting, identifying, and investigating cybercrimes,
including the collection of digital forensic evidence;
(3) developing appropriate enforcement mechanisms for
cybercrimes;
(4) detecting and identifying perpetrators; and
(5) prosecuting cybercrimes and holding perpetrators
accountable for such crimes.
(c) Prioritization.--The Secretary of State, in providing
the technical assistance described in subsection (b), shall
prioritize working with national and regional law enforcement
entities, including--
(1) police forces;
(2) public prosecutors;
(3) attorneys general
(4) courts; and
(5) other law enforcement and civilian intelligence
entities, as appropriate.
(d) Cyber Defense Assistance.--The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Commander of the United States Cyber
Command and the Director of National Intelligence, shall
offer to provide technical assistance to strengthen the
capacity of partner governments in Latin America and the
Caribbean--
(1) to protect the integrity of their telecom and data
networks and their critical infrastructure; and
(2) to build and monitor secure telecom and data networks;
(3) to identify cyber threats and detect and deter cyber
attacks;
(4) to investigate cyber crimes, including the collection
of digital forensic evidence;
(5) to protect the integrity of digital infrastructure and
digital assets, including data storage systems (including
Cloud computing), proprietary data, personal information, and
proprietary technologies;
(6) to plan maintenance, improvements, and modernization in
a coordinated and regular fashion so as to ensure continuity
and safety; and
(7) to protect the digital systems that manage roads,
bridges, ports, and transportation hubs.
(e) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days
thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide a briefing
regarding the technical assistance described in subsection
(b) and (d) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(5) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives; and
(6) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. __22. ADDRESSING THE RISKS THAT PERVASIVE SURVEILLANCE
AND MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES POSE TO HUMAN
RIGHTS.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to a 2018 report by Freedom House--
(A) China has stepped up efforts to use digital media to
increase its own power, both inside and outside of China;
(B) in 2018, for the second year in a row, China was the
worst abuser of Internet freedom, and during that year, the
Government of China hosted media officials from dozens of
countries for 2- and 3-week seminars on its sprawling system
of censorship and surveillance;
(C) Chinese companies have supplied telecommunications
hardware, advanced facial-recognition technology, and data
analytics tools to a variety of governments with poor human
rights records, which could benefit Chinese intelligence
services and repressive local authorities;
(D) China's Belt and Road Initiative includes a ``Digital
Silk Road'' of Chinese-built fiber-optic networks that could
expose Internet traffic to greater monitoring by local and
Chinese intelligence agencies, given that China is determined
to set the technical standards for how the next generation of
traffic is coded and transmitted.
(2) As part of its engagement with Latin American and
Caribbean governments, China has begun promoting the
installation of pervasive surveillance camera systems, under
the pretext of citizen security, in Bolivia, Ecuador, and
Venezuela, to be financed, designed, installed, and
maintained by companies linked to the Government of China.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) China is exporting its model for internal security and
state control of society through advanced technology and
artificial intelligence; and
(2) the adoption of surveillance systems can lead to
breaches of citizens' private information, increased
censorship, violations of civil rights, and harassment of
political opponents.
[[Page S3450]]
(c) Diplomatic Engagement.--The Secretary of State shall
conduct diplomatic engagement with governments in Latin
America and the Caribbean--
(1) to help officials identify and mitigate the risks to
civil liberties posed by pervasive surveillance and
monitoring technologies; and
(2) to offer recommendations on ways to mitigate such
risks.
(d) Internet Freedom Programs.--The Chief Executive Officer
of the United States Agency for Global Media, working through
the Open Technology Fund, and the Secretary of State, working
through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor's
office of Internet Freedom and Business and Human Rights,
shall expand and prioritize efforts to provide anti-
censorship technology and services to journalists and
citizens in Latin America, in order to enhance their ability
to safely access or share digital news and information
without fear of repercussions or surveillance.
(e) Support for Civil Society.--The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Assistant Secretary of State for
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development, shall
work through nongovernmental organizations--
(1) to support and promote programs that support Internet
freedom and the free flow of information online in Latin
America and the Caribbean;
(2) to protect open, secure, and reliable access to the
Internet in Latin America and the Caribbean;
(3) to provide integrated support to civil society for
technology, digital safety, policy and advocacy, and applied
research programs in Latin America and the Caribbean;
(4) to train journalists and civil society leaders in Latin
America and the Caribbean on investigative techniques
necessary to ensure public accountability and prevent
government overreach in the digital sphere; and
(5) to assist independent media outlets and journalists in
Latin America and the Caribbean to build their own capacity
and develop high-impact, in-depth news reports covering
governance and human rights topics.
(f) Briefing Requirement.--Not more than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days
thereafter, the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development, and the
Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for
Global Media shall provide a briefing regarding the efforts
described in subsections (c), (d), and (e) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$10,000,000 to carry out the activities set forth in
subsection (e).
(2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification
requirements applicable to expenditures from--
(A) the Economic Support Fund under section 531(c) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)); and
(B) the Development Assistance Fund under section 653(a) of
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2413(a)).
SEC. __23. REVITALIZING BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL MILITARY
EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall dedicate not
less than 17 percent of the amounts appropriated to bilateral
and multilateral military education programs, such as the
International Military Education and Training program, for
Latin America and the Caribbean during the 5-year period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Modernization.--The Secretary of State shall take steps
to modernize and strengthen the programs receiving funding
under subsection (a)--
(1) to ensure that such programs are vigorous, substantive,
and the preeminent choice for international military
education and training for Latin American and Caribbean
partners.
(c) Required Elements.--The programs referred to under
subsection (a) shall--
(1) provide training and capacity-building opportunities to
Latin American and Caribbean security services;
(2) provide practical skills and frameworks for--
(A) improving the functioning and organization of security
services in Latin America and the Caribbean;
(B) creating a better understanding of the United States
and its values; and
(C) using technology for maximum efficiency and
organization; and
(3) promote and ensure that security services in Latin
America and the Caribbean operate in compliance with
international norms, standards, and rules of engagement,
including a respect for human rights.
(d) Limitation.--Security assistance under this section is
subject to the limitations set forth in section 620M of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d).
Subtitle C--Advancing United States Interests and the Role of Civil
Society in Latin America and the Caribbean
SEC. __31. COUNTERACTING GROWING CHINESE EDUCATIONAL AND
CULTURAL INFLUENCE IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN.
(a) Finding.--According to a report by the National
Endowment for Democracy--
(1) China has spent the equivalent of billions of dollars
to shape public opinion and perceptions around the world
through thousands of people-to-people exchanges, cultural
activities, educational programs, and the development of
media enterprises and information initiatives with global
reach;
(2) the aim of Chinese influence efforts is intended to
distract and manipulate the political and information
environments in targeted countries; and
(3) the countries most vulnerable to Chinese efforts are
those in which democratic institutions are weak.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
China's efforts to mold public opinion on the issues
described in subsection (a) undermines United States
influence in Latin America and the Caribbean and threaten
democratic institutions and practices in the region.
(c) Strategy.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with
the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural
Affairs, shall devise a strategy--
(1) to expand existing programs and, as necessary, design
and implement educational, professional, and cultural
exchanges and other programs to create and sustain mutual
understanding with other countries necessary to advance
United States foreign policy goals by cultivating people-to-
people ties among current and future global leaders that
build enduring networks and personal relationships and
promote United States national security and values;
(2) that includes the expansion of exchange visitor
programs, including international visitor leadership programs
and professional capacity building programs that prioritize
building skills in entrepreneurship, promoting transparency,
and technology; and
(3) to dedicate not less than 18 percent of the budget of
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to carry out
the activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(d) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days
thereafter, the Secretary of State and the Assistant
Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs shall
provide a briefing regarding the efforts described in
subsection (c) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. __32. MAINTAINING TRANSPARENCY AND FREEDOM OF ACCESS FOR
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE WESTERN
HEMISPHERE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
digital infrastructure entities, such as the Internet and
telecommunications networks, are common goods that should be
neutral and accessible to all people, with no country or
government dominating control of their use, standards, or
principles.
(b) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with United States representatives to the Internet governance
agencies, such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
and Numbers (ICANN) and the United Nations Internet
Governance Forum, shall promote and advocate for governments,
the private sector, and civil society to respect and adhere
to shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making
procedures, and programs that shape the evolution and use of
the Internet, including ensuring--
(1) neutral access to digital networks;
(2) common technical standards that do not favor a
particular country;
(3) freedom from unauthorized data access; and
(4) free access to information and combating censorship.
(c) Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days
thereafter, the Secretary of State and United States
representatives on Internet governance agencies, such as the
Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and the
United Nations Internet Governance Forum, shall provide a
briefing regarding the efforts described in subsection (b)
to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. __33. ADVANCING THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE MEDIA
TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, acting through the
Assistance Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights,
and Labor, the Assistant Secretary of State for Education and
Cultural Affairs, and the Coordinator of the Global
Engagement Center, shall expand existing initiatives and, as
necessary, develop and implement new initiatives that
facilitate and strengthen the capacity of civil society and
independent media outlets to increase transparency and
accountability among government and business leaders.
(b) Program Elements.--The initiatives under subsection (a)
shall include--
[[Page S3451]]
(1) training for journalists and civil society leaders on
investigative techniques necessary to improve transparency
and accountability in government and the private sector;
(2) training on investigative reporting relating to
incidents of corruption and unfair trade, business and
commercial practices, including the role of the Government of
China in such practices;
(3) training on investigative reporting relating to efforts
the Government of China's use of misinformation,
disinformation, and state media to influence public opinion
in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
(4) assistance for nongovernmental organizations to
strengthen their capacity to monitor the activities described
in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(c) Consultation.--In developing and implementing the
initiatives under subsection (a), the Secretary of State
shall consult with--
(1) nongovernmental organizations focused on transparency
and combating corruption, such as Transparency International,
the Latin American and Caribbean chapters of Transparency
International, and similar organizations; and
(2) media organizations that promote investigative
journalism and train organizations in investigative
techniques necessary to ensure public accountability, such as
ProPublica, the Center for Public Integrity, and the
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
(d) Semiannual Briefing Requirement.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every
180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide a
briefing regarding the initiatives under subsection (a) to--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of State $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 to
carry out the initiatives under subsection (a).
(2) Notification requirements.--Amounts appropriated
pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject to the notification
requirements applicable to expenditures from the Economic
Support Fund under section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)) and the International
Narcotics and Law Enforcement Fund under section 489 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2291h), to the
extent that such funds are expended.
Subtitle D--Resourcing for Success
SEC. __41. APPOINTMENT OF CHINA WATCH OFFICERS AT UNITED
STATES EMBASSIES IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall direct the
Chiefs of Mission at United States Embassies and Consulates
in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, to
designate a China Watch Officer, from among existing staff at
the Post, to monitor and report on Chinese engagement in the
respective countries.
(b) Annual Meeting.--The Assistant Secretary for Western
Hemisphere Affairs shall convene an annual meeting (either in
person or by video conference call) of all of the China Watch
Officers designated pursuant to subsection (a)--
(1) to discuss and compare developments in their individual
countries;
(2) to identify trends in Chinese activities in Latin
America and the Caribbean and its subregions; and
(3) to recommend potential strategies to mitigate or
compete with Chinese activities in the region.
(c) Briefing Requirement.--Concurrent with the annual
meeting described in subsection (b), China Watch Officers
serving in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba,
shall brief--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Consultation.--The Assistant Secretary for Western
Hemisphere Affairs and the China Watch Officers designated
pursuant to subsection (a) shall be available for
consultations with the staff of the congressional committees
referred to in subsection (c).
SEC. __42. ASSESSING STAFFING NEEDS AT UNITED STATES
EMBASSIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN.
(a) Staffing Assessment.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall submit the assessments and accompanying reports, if
necessary, described in subsections (b) and (c) to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(b) Foreign Commercial Service Assessment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of State and the Secretary
of Commerce shall prepare a written assessment that--
(A) determines whether the current staffing levels of the
United States Foreign Commercial Service at all United States
embassies and diplomatic offices in Latin America and the
Caribbean are sufficient to successfully advance United
States economic policy in Latin America and the Caribbean;
and
(B) specifically details the results for each United States
embassy and diplomatic office in Latin America and the
Caribbean.
(2) Accompanying report.--If the assessment under paragraph
(1) reveals insufficient staffing levels, the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of Commerce shall submit an
accompanying report that--
(A) identifies the costs associated with increasing the
overseas presence of United States Foreign Commercial Service
officers in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
(B) includes a timeline and strategy for increasing such
staffing levels.
(c) Public Diplomacy Assessment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of State shall prepare a
written assessment that--
(A) determines whether the current staffing levels of
Foreign Service public diplomacy officers at all United
States embassies and diplomatic offices in Latin America and
the Caribbean are sufficient--
(i) to successfully advance United States national
interests; and
(ii) to counter misinformation and disinformation efforts
by the Government of China and the Government of Russia; and
(B) specifically details the results for each United States
embassy and diplomatic office in Latin America and the
Caribbean.
(2) Accompanying report.--If the assessment under paragraph
(1) reveals insufficient staffing levels, the Secretary of
State shall submit an accompanying report that--
(A) identifies the costs associated with increasing the
overseas presence of Foreign Service public diplomacy
officers in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
(B) includes a timeline and strategy for increasing such
staffing levels.
______