[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 112 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3171-H3174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRANS-SAHARA COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM ACT OF 2021
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 567) to establish an interagency program to assist countries in
North and West Africa to improve immediate and long-term capabilities
to counter terrorist threats, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 567
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Trans-Sahara
Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) terrorist and violent extremist organizations, such as
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram, the Islamic
State of West Africa, and other affiliated groups, have
killed tens of thousands of innocent civilians, displaced
populations, destabilized local and national governments, and
caused mass human suffering in the affected communities;
(2) poor governance, political and economic
marginalization, and lack of accountability for human rights
abuses by security forces are drivers of extremism;
(3) it is in the national security interest of the United
States to combat the spread of terrorism and violent
extremism and build the capacity of partner countries to
combat these threats in Africa;
(4) terrorist and violent extremist organizations exploit
vulnerable and marginalized communities suffering from
poverty, lack of economic opportunity (particularly among
youth populations), corruption, and weak governance; and
(5) a comprehensive, coordinated interagency approach is
needed to develop an effective strategy to address the
security challenges in the Sahel-Maghreb, appropriately
allocate resources, de-conflict programs, and maximize the
effectiveness of United States defense, diplomatic, and
development capabilities.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States to assist countries
in North and West Africa, and other allies and partners
active in those regions, in combating terrorism and violent
extremism through a coordinated interagency approach with a
consistent strategy that appropriately balances security
activities with diplomatic and development efforts to address
the political, socioeconomic, governance, and development
challenges in North and West Africa that contribute to
terrorism and violent extremism.
SEC. 4. TRANS-SAHARA COUNTERTERRORISM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development, shall
establish a partnership program, to be known as the ``Trans-
Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) Program'' to
coordinate all programs, projects, and activities of the
United States Government in countries in North and West
Africa that are conducted for any of the following purposes:
(A) To improve governance and the capacities of countries
in North and West Africa to deliver basic services,
particularly with at-risk communities, as a means of
countering terrorism and violent extremism by enhancing state
legitimacy and authority and countering corruption.
(B) To address the factors that make people and communities
vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist and violent extremist
organizations, including economic vulnerability and mistrust
of government and government security forces, through
activities such as--
(i) supporting strategies that increase youth employment
opportunities;
(ii) promoting girls' education and women's political
participation;
(iii) strengthening local governance and civil society
capacity;
(iv) improving government transparency and accountability;
(v) fighting corruption;
(vi) improving access to economic opportunities; and
(vii) other development activities necessary to support
community resilience.
(C) To strengthen the rule of law in such countries,
including by enhancing the capability of the judicial
institutions to independently, transparently, and credibly
deter,
[[Page H3172]]
investigate, and prosecute acts of terrorism and violent
extremism.
(D) To improve the ability of military and law enforcement
entities in partner countries to detect, disrupt, respond to,
and prosecute violent extremist and terrorist activity while
respecting human rights, and to cooperate with the United
States and other partner countries on counterterrorism and
counter-extremism efforts.
(E) To enhance the border security capacity of partner
countries, including the ability to monitor, detain, and
interdict terrorists.
(F) To identify, monitor, disrupt, and counter the human
capital and financing pipelines of terrorism.
(G) To support the free expression and operations of
independent, local-language media, particularly in rural
areas, while countering the media operations and recruitment
propaganda of terrorist and violent extremist organizations.
(2) Assistance framework.--Activities carried out under the
TSCTP Program shall--
(A) be carried out in countries where the Secretary of
State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, determines that there is an adequate level of
partner country commitment, and has considered partner
country needs, absorptive capacity, sustainment capacity, and
efforts of other donors in the sector;
(B) have clearly defined outcomes;
(C) be closely coordinated among United States diplomatic
and development missions, United States Africa Command, and
relevant participating departments and agencies;
(D) have specific plans with robust indicators to regularly
monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact;
(E) complement and enhance efforts to promote democratic
governance, the rule of law, human rights, and economic
growth;
(F) in the case of train and equip programs, complement
longer-term security sector institution-building; and
(G) have mechanisms in place to track resources and
routinely monitor and evaluate the efficacy of relevant
programs.
(3) Consultation.--In coordinating activities through the
TSCTP Program, the Secretary of State shall also establish a
coordination mechanism that ensures periodic consultation
with, as appropriate, the Director of National Intelligence,
the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the
Chief Executive Officer of the United States Agency for
Global Media (formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of
Governors), and the heads of other relevant Federal
departments and agencies, as determined by the President.
(4) Congressional notification.--Not later than 15 days
before obligating amounts for an activity of the TSCTP
Program pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary of State
shall submit a notification to the appropriate congressional
committees, in accordance with the requirements of section
634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-
1), that includes the following:
(A) The foreign country and entity, as applicable, whose
capabilities are to be enhanced in accordance with the
purposes specified in paragraph (1).
(B) The amount, type, and purpose of support to be
provided.
(C) An assessment of the capacity of the foreign country to
effectively implement, benefit from, or utilize the
assistance to be provided for the intended purpose.
(D) The anticipated implementation timeline for the
activity.
(E) As applicable, a description of the plans to sustain
any military or security equipment provided beyond the
completion date of such activity, and the estimated cost and
source of funds to support such sustainment.
(b) International Coordination.--Efforts carried out under
this section shall take into account partner country
counterterrorism, counter-extremism, and development
strategies and, to the extent practicable, shall be aligned
with such strategies. Such efforts shall be coordinated with
counterterrorism and counter-extremism activities and
programs in the areas of defense, diplomacy, and development
carried out by other like-minded donors and international
organizations in the relevant country.
(c) Strategies.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development and other relevant Federal Government agencies,
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees the
following strategies:
(1) A comprehensive five-year strategy for the sahel-
maghreb.--A comprehensive five-year strategy for the Sahel-
Maghreb, including details related to whole-of-government
efforts in the areas of defense, diplomacy, and development
to advance the national security, economic, and humanitarian
interests of the United States, including--
(A) efforts to ensure coordination with multilateral and
bilateral partners, such as the Joint Force of the Group of
Five of the Sahel, and with other relevant assistance
frameworks;
(B) a public diplomacy strategy and actions to ensure that
populations in the Sahel-Maghreb are aware of the development
activities of the United States Government, especially in
countries with a significant Department of Defense presence
or engagement through train and equip programs;
(C) activities aimed at supporting democratic institutions
and countering violent extremism with measurable goals and
transparent benchmarks;
(D) plans to help each partner country address humanitarian
and development needs and to help prevent, respond to, and
mitigate intercommunal violence;
(E) a comprehensive plan to support security sector reform
in each partner country that includes a detailed section on
programs and activities being undertaken by relevant
stakeholders and other international actors operating in the
sector and that incorporates as appropriate any lessons
learned from previous initiatives to improve security sector
governance; and
(F) a specific strategy for Mali that includes plans for
sustained, high-level diplomatic engagement with
stakeholders, including countries in Europe and the Middle
East with interests in the Sahel-Maghreb, regional
governments, relevant multilateral organizations, signatory
groups of the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in
Mali, and civil society actors.
(2) A comprehensive five-year strategy for tsctp program
counterterrorism efforts.--A comprehensive five-year strategy
for the TSCTP Program that includes--
(A) a clear statement of the objectives of United States
counterterrorism efforts in North and West Africa with
respect to the use of all forms of United States assistance
to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism, including
efforts to build military and civilian law enforcement
capacity, strengthen the rule of law, promote responsive and
accountable governance, and address the root causes of
terrorism and violent extremism;
(B) a plan for coordinating programs through the TSCTP
Program pursuant to subsection (a)(1), including an
identification of which agency or bureau of the Department of
State, as applicable, will be responsible for leading,
coordinating, and conducting monitoring and evaluation for
each such program, and the process for enabling the leading
agency or bureau to establish standards, compel partners to
adhere to those standards, and report results;
(C) a plan to monitor, evaluate, and share data and
learning about the TSCTP Program that includes quantifiable
baselines, targets, and results in accordance with monitoring
and evaluation provisions of sections 3 and 4 of the Foreign
Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016 (Public Law
114-191); and
(D) a plan for ensuring coordination and compliance with
related requirements in United States law, including the
Global Fragility Act of 2019 (title V of division J of the
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law
116-94)).
(3) Consultation.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Department of State shall
consult with appropriate congressional committees on progress
made towards developing the strategies required in paragraphs
(1) and (2).
(d) Supporting Material in Annual Budget Request.--The
Secretary of State shall include in the budget materials
submitted to Congress in support of the President's annual
budget request (submitted to Congress pursuant to section
1105 of title 31, United States Code) for each fiscal year
beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter for five years, a description of the
requirements, activities, and planned allocation of amounts
requested by the TSCTP Program. This requirement does not
apply to activities of the Department of Defense conducted
pursuant to authorities under title 10, United States Code.
(e) Monitoring and Evaluation of Programs and Activities.--
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and annually thereafter for five years, the
Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of
Defense and the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that describes--
(1) the progress made in meeting the objectives of the
strategies required under paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (c), including any lessons learned in carrying out
TSCTP Program activities and any recommendations for
improving such programs and activities;
(2) the efforts taken to coordinate, de-conflict, and
streamline TSCTP Program activities to maximize resource
effectiveness;
(3) the extent to which each partner country has
demonstrated the ability to absorb the equipment or training
provided in the previous year under the TSCTP Program, and
where applicable, the ability to maintain and appropriately
utilize such equipment;
(4) the extent to which each partner country is investing
its own resources to advance the goals described in
subsection (a)(1) or is demonstrating a commitment and
willingness to cooperate with the United States to advance
such goals;
(5) the actions taken by the government of each partner
country receiving assistance under the TSCTP Program to
combat corruption, improve transparency and accountability,
and promote other forms of democratic governance;
(6) the assistance provided in each of the three preceding
fiscal years under this program, broken down by partner
country, to
[[Page H3173]]
include the type, statutory authorization, and purpose of all
United States security assistance provided to the country
pursuant to authorities under title 10, United States Code,
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.),
or any other ``train and equip'' authorities of the
Department of Defense; and
(7) any changes or updates to the Comprehensive Five-Year
Strategy for the TSCTP Program required under paragraph (2)
of subsection (c) necessitated by the findings in this annual
report.
(f) Reporting Requirement Related to Audit of Bureau of
African Affairs Monitoring and Coordination of the Trans-
Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program.--Not later than
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
every 120 days thereafter until all 13 recommendations in the
September 2020 Department of State Office of Inspector
General audit entitled ``Audit of the Department of State
Bureau of African Affairs Monitoring and Coordination of the
Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program'' (AUD-
MERO-20-42) are closed or until the date that is three years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, whichever is
earlier, the Secretary of State shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that
identifies--
(1) which of the 13 recommendations in AUD-MERO-20-42 have
not been closed;
(2) a description of progress made since the last report
toward closing each recommendation identified under paragraph
(1);
(3) additional resources needed, including assessment of
staffing capacity, if any, to complete action required to
close each recommendation identified under paragraph (1); and
(4) the anticipated timeline for completion of action
required to close each recommendation identified under
paragraph (1), including application of all recommendations
into all existing security assistance programs managed by the
Department of State under the TSCTP Program.
(g) Program Administration.--Not later than 120 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State
shall report to Congress plans for conducting a written
review of a representative sample of each of the security
assistance programs administered by the Bureau of African
Affairs to identify potential waste, fraud, abuse,
inefficiencies, or deficiencies. The review shall include an
analysis of staff capacity, including human resource needs,
available resources, procedural guidance, and monitoring and
evaluation processes to ensure the Bureau of African Affairs
is managing programs efficiently and effectively.
(h) Form.--The strategies required under paragraphs (1) and
(2) of subsection (c) and the reports required under
subsections (e), (f), and (g) shall be submitted in
unclassified form but may include a classified annex.
(i) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the
Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, and the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of
Representatives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 567, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 567, the Trans-
Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021, from my good
friend and colleague, the ranking member, Mr. McCaul. I thank Mr.
McCaul for working in the spirit of bipartisanship and making sure that
we get this bill to the floor. This bill authorizes and supports the
continuation of a viable counterterrorism program with our allies and
partners.
First launched in 2005, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership
Program is a valuable initiative through which the State Department
works with partner countries in North Africa and the Sahel to build
more responsive and resilient counterterrorism strategies to better
counter threats facing the region and our allies.
Those nations include Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Libya,
Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia.
As the nature of the terrorist threat in North Africa evolves and
permeates across borders in remote geographies, close coordination and
a regional approach is critical. One of the United States' strongest
tools in its arsenal is its ability to galvanize collective action,
employing U.S.-led multilateral initiatives for counterterrorism
purposes. The Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program is a
strong example of that multilateral capacity. We cannot prevent or
respond to terrorism by being American alone or America only. It must
be America forward, leading partners to action that safeguards our
security interests.
This bill authorizes the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership
Program and supports its continuation while requiring a clear,
multiyear strategy. It also requires a plan for the thorough monitoring
and evaluation of programming to ensure funds are spent wisely,
progress is assessed, and programmatic actions are results-oriented. By
doing so, we can ensure an effective, regional approach to
counterterrorism in North Africa and the Sahel.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank my friend and colleague, Ranking Member
McCaul, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank the chairman for working
with me to bring this to the floor. We passed this the last Congress,
and I hope the Senate will pay attention, as this is a very important
issue.
In the last year alone, ISIS- and al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist
attacks in the Sahel have more than doubled, killing over 4,000 people.
Just two weeks ago, at least 130 civilians were killed in Burkina
Faso in an attack reportedly carried out by child soldiers. This was
the worst attack in that country in years.
As we speak, ISIS and al-Qaida affiliates are growing in strength,
they are increasing in size, they are becoming more violent, and they
are pushing further south into coastal West Africa. Innocent civilians
are paying the price.
A military solution alone will not stabilize the Sahel. Mali has
experienced two coups in a year. This is unacceptable and underscores
the importance of U.S. engagement, along with our partners, to address
governance challenges in the region.
Without adequate attention to the root causes of extremism, violence,
and community grievances, we will never meaningfully address security
challenges in the Sahel.
I want to thank my colleague, Representative Keating, for his support
of this legislation as well as the chairman. This bill will pass again.
It is time for the Senate to pass it and make it into law.
This bill mandates the State Department, the Defense Department, and
USAID to coordinate their efforts in the region, very similar to the
Global Fragility Act we passed and signed into law.
This will help balance our diplomatic, defense, and development
efforts to combat instability and terrorist activity in the Sahel.
The program also works with countries such as Chad, Burkina Faso,
Niger, and Nigeria to build their capacity to conduct counterterrorism
operations, prevent the spread of violent extremism, and strengthen the
rule of law.
We have learned firsthand that terrorists left unchecked and allowed
to exploit safe havens will pose great threats to the United States'
national security interest.
The situation in the region is dire, and we cannot afford to squander
critical taxpayer resources, if they are not achieving results. This
really provides for congressional oversight as well of the State
Department and the Department of Defense, in terms of how they are
monitoring this important program.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important measure,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman, again, and Representative
[[Page H3174]]
Keating for their work. As we have seen around the world, COVID-19 has
made an already dire situation worse in this region.
As humanitarian needs are rising, forced displacement has increased
and local communities are becoming more vulnerable.
In June, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
testified to the U.N. Security Council that terrorist groups are trying
to capitalize on the pandemic to undermine and destabilize governments
in the Sahel.
This cannot wait. I urge the administration to work with
international partners to increase our engagement in the region. It is
imperative we address the underlying drivers of extremism in order to
truly combat rising terrorist activities.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, effective counterterrorism strategies across North
Africa and the Sahel are critical to U.S. security. Terrorist attacks
orchestrated by ISIS- and al-Qaida-affiliated groups require a
coordinated multilateral response, led by the United States in close
partnership with nations in the region. A more responsive and resilient
counterterrorism strategy in North Africa and the Sahel is critical and
crucial to addressing the threats that we face today, and this bill
ensures that this program is the most effective it can be in addressing
such threats.
I thank Representative McCaul and Representative Keating for bringing
this bill forward, I urge the Senate to get it done also, and I urge
all of my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 567, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DAVIDSON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________