[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 195 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4788-H4789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1250
COMBATTING INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING AND HUMAN SMUGGLING
PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2025
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 4071) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the
operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in foreign countries,
and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4071
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 ``Combatting International
Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. ENHANCING THE OPERATIONS OF U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER
PROTECTION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Section 411(f) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6
U.S.C. 211(f)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Permissible activities.--
``(A) In general.--Employees of U.S. Customs and Border
Protection designated with the authorities granted to
officers and agents of Air and Marine Operations may provide
the support described in subparagraph (B) to the government
of a foreign country, including by conducting joint
operations with appropriate government officials within the
territory of such country, if an arrangement has been entered
into between the Government of the United States and the
government of such country that permits such support.
``(B) Support described.--
``(i) In general.--The support described in this
subparagraph is support for the following:
``(I) The monitoring, locating, tracking, and deterrence of
the following:
``(aa) Illegal drugs to the United States.
``(bb) The illicit smuggling of persons and goods into the
United States.
``(cc) Terrorist threats to the United States.
``(dd) Other threats to the security or economy of the
United States.
``(II) Emergency humanitarian efforts.
``(III) Law enforcement capacity-building efforts.
``(ii) Definition.--In this subparagraph, the term
`emergency humanitarian efforts' means activities carried out
by U.S. Customs and Border Protection pertaining to search
and rescue activities, medical assistance, air traffic
control assistance, and transport necessary to accomplish
such purposes.
``(C) Payment of claims.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii) and (iv), the
Secretary may expend funds that have been appropriated or
otherwise made available for the operating expenses of the
Department to pay claims for money damages against the United
States, in accordance with the first paragraph of section
2672 of title 28, United States Code, which arise in a
foreign country in connection with U.S. Customs and Border
Protection operations in such country.
``(ii) Submission deadline.--A claim may be allowed under
clause (i) only if such claim is presented not later than two
years after the date of the incident that gives rise to such
claim.
``(iii) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the expenditure authority under clause (i) expires
pursuant to clause (iv), the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that describes,
for each of the payments made pursuant to such clause (i),
the following:
``(I) The person or entity that received such payment.
``(II) The amount paid to such person or entity.
``(III) The country in which such person or entity resides
or has its principal place of business.
``(IV) A detailed account of the circumstances to justify
such payment.
``(iv) Sunset.--The expenditure authority under clause (i)
shall expire on the date that is five years after the date of
the enactment of this subparagraph.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Guest) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Goldman)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Mississippi.
General Leave
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous materials on H.R. 4071.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Mississippi?
There was no objection.
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 4071, the
Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling
Partnership Act of 2025.
Mr. Speaker, United States Customs and Border Protection's Air and
Marine Operations agents play a critical role in the homeland security
mission. Every day AMO agents conduct border operations to detect and
disrupt human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and to stop other
dangerous and illicit contraband before it reaches our shore.
The impact of the incredible work of the men and women of CBP's Air
and Marine Operations is undeniable.
In fiscal year 2025 alone, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the
seizure of more than 500,000 pounds of illegal narcotics. I will say
that again: One-half million pounds of potential deadly contraband were
interdicted. That contraband will never make it into our communities or
into the hands of our children.
However, as transnational criminal organizations continue to become
more aggressive, they continue to try to extend their reach into the
United States, and we must be prepared to meet this evolving threat.
Strengthening international cooperation with our partners, such as
those in the Western Hemisphere, is an essential first step to
combating drug trafficking and human smuggling in addition to
supporting other law enforcement missions.
This legislation authorizes AMO and other designated CBP personnel to
continue and to expand these successful bilateral agreements by
providing training, sharing information, and conducting joint
operations that will increase interdictions and enhance regional
security as it saves lives and it strengthens our defense and makes
America safer.
By bolstering AMO's ability to work with our foreign partners, my
bill will help stem the flow of illegal narcotics and ensure that
criminals are intercepted before they reach our shores, and we will
protect our homeland from those who seek to cause us harm.
I would like to thank Representative Pou for joining me on this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all my colleagues to support this
legislation which will enhance CBP's Air and Marine Operations
capability as they work to keep our Nation secure and the American
people safe.
[[Page H4789]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GOLDMAN of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, every day, Customs and Border Protection's Air and
Marine Operations uses its highly trained pilots, mariners, and
surveillance operators to detect, interdict, and stop the smuggling of
people and illicit drugs.
Air and Marine Operations, known as AMO, also conducts critical
humanitarian missions and search and rescue operations out at sea,
including after hurricanes and other natural disasters.
They work with partner countries, specifically in the Americas and
the Caribbean, to save lives, train foreign law enforcement, and
address threats through joint operations before they reach our borders.
Right now, AMO's authority to enter into these foreign partnerships
relies on the yearly appropriations process, hindering their ability to
do any long-term planning. This bill formalizes their ability to
conduct operations with foreign partners and do such long-term
planning. Any such agreements will still have to go through the State
Department, but this change will improve AMO's ability to operate
strategically and assist foreign partners quickly when needed. This can
and will save lives.
Mr. Speaker, I thank AMO for their lifesaving efforts, I urge my
colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation offered by my
colleague from Mississippi, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers. I am prepared to
close after the gentleman from New York, and I reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. GOLDMAN of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of
my time.
Mr. Speaker, I support this bill as it helps Air and Marine
Operations work quickly, effectively, and strategically with our
foreign partners to keep our homeland safe and rescue those in need.
This can be the difference between life-and-death in some cases.
I, therefore, support this bipartisan piece of legislation, Mr.
Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to the great work that we saw the men and
women of AMO perform this year, I would like to give this body some of
the statistics from FY24.
In fiscal year '24, we see that AMO's actions resulted in the arrest
of 1,009 individuals; that there were 48,609 apprehensions of illegal
aliens, as well as the seizure or disruption of 244,781 pounds of
cocaine, 2,235 pounds of fentanyl, 3,061 pounds of methamphetamine, the
seizure of 1,499 weapons, and also the seizure of $12.5 million in
United States currency.
Mr. Speaker, the previous legislation that we just debated and passed
the House talked about violent gangs, FTOs as they are often called.
The last legislation introduced by Mr. Knott talked about Tren de
Aragua, and we see that Tren de Aragua has become embedded in our
communities. They are involved in violent crimes like robbery, assault,
and murder. They are involved in human trafficking, and they are
involved in narcotics trafficking.
So, Mr. Speaker, I believe that this legislation goes hand in hand
with the previous legislation that this body just took up and passed.
It is an important step as we continue to remain vigilant and as we
continue to do what the American people elected us to do.
They elected us to keep them safe. They elected us to make sure that
the communities in which they live are great places to live, worship,
and to raise a family.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members on both sides of the aisle to support
H.R. 4071, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 4071.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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