[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.

                          ____________________