WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced the introduction of several amendments to advance U.S. foreign policy provisions to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. His proposed amendments to the defense bill would strengthen the country’s domestic and international response to the fentanyl epidemic, improve cooperation between the United States and its economic partners, enhance global security, and modernize the United States’ Peace Corps program.
Strengthening Sanctions on Fentanyl Traffickers Act
“At a time when communities in New Jersey and across our nation are grappling with the devastating toll of fentanyl, we must use every tool at our disposal to end this global crisis,” said Chairman Menendez. “This means holding accountable the People’s Republic of China pharmaceutical companies and Mexican drug cartels driving the illicit trafficking of fentanyl and fentanyl precursors. My amendment would implement commonsense steps to put pressure on these dangerous actors while helping the U.S. expand its capacity to confront one of the greatest global threats facing American families today.”
This provision would strengthen the Biden Administration’s response to international fentanyl production and trafficking and would ensure that the U.S. government has the resources and authorities needed to target malign actors fueling the ongoing fentanyl epidemic in our country. Specifically, the provision would extend the end date of the landmark Fentanyl Sanctions Act of 2019 and expand on it by ensuring that PRC pharmaceutical companies responsible for trafficking fentanyl and fentanyl precursors are prioritized for targeted sanctions. It would also codify sanctions against major Mexican cartels responsible for the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
More information about the original bill is available here.
Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act
“As criminal gangs fuel a grave humanitarian and security crisis across Haiti, the United States must lead an international effort to hold accountable the gangs, their malicious financiers, and political backers,” said Chairman Menendez. “Haiti’s criminal gangs are responsible for killing innocent civilians, committing sexual violence, and profiting from dangerous drug trafficking and racketeering schemes, and it must stop. My amendment would ensure that criminal gangs and those who enable them face serious consequences, regardless of their rank or status.”
This provision would require the Department of State to investigate and provide Congress with annual reports regarding the nature of the relationship between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti. Amidst profound security and humanitarian crises in the country, this provision would require targeted sanctions against criminal gangs in Haiti, as well as their partners among the political and economic elite.
More information about the original bill is available here.
United States Uruguay Economic Partnership Act
“Uruguay is a nation that stands out as a global leader for its commitment to democracy and the rule of law,” said Chairman Menendez. “Uruguay’s growing technology and innovation sector and advanced levels of inclusive economic growth make it an obvious partner for expanding commercial and investment ties between our two countries. By including Uruguay in existing trade preference programs and increasing visa eligibility for Uruguayan citizens, my amendment would facilitate greater economic cooperation between our nations and bolster U.S. competitiveness in South America.”
This provision would make Uruguay eligible for trade preferences under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and for trade and investment related visas. The provision also requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to provide an assessment on Uruguay’s eligibility to be included in the Visa Waiver Program.
More information about the original bill is available here.
“Though it is entirely preventable, treatable, and curable, tuberculosis is among the world’s most lethal infectious diseases, disproportionately impacting children and other vulnerable populations in New Jersey and around the globe,” said Chairman Menendez. “By including language from the End Tuberculosis Now Act in the NDAA, we not only signal our enduring commitment to affected communities everywhere, but to our international partners as we seek to eliminate tuberculosis in our lifetimes. I look forward to working with my colleagues to affirm U.S. leadership in the fight against this disease.”
The End Tuberculosis Now Act is comprehensive bipartisan legislation to make the elimination of tuberculosis a foreign assistance priority for the United States. By improving U.S. and international coordination and prioritization of research and diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, the bipartisan legislation critically advances and modernizes U.S. engagement in the global fight to end the disease worldwide by 2035.
More information about the original bill is available here.
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act
“The Peace Corps is one of our country’s most effective tools to advance development outcomes while fostering mutual understanding and promoting cross-cultural exchange,” said Chairman Menendez. “But as the program grapples with new challenges in a post-COVID world, it’s clear the Peace Corps – which hasn’t been reauthorized in over 20 years – is long overdue for modernization. Incorporating the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act into the NDAA would help ensure the program is fit for purpose in today’s environment through critical program reforms, enhanced volunteer support services and compensation, and greater capacity to staff Peace Corps with diverse and well-resourced volunteers. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to advance this amendment to secure the future of the Peace Corps and support its dedicated volunteers.”
This amendment reauthorizes the Peace Corps for the first time in over two decades, raises Peace Corps Volunteers’ readjustment allowance, codifies and expands federal hiring preferences for Peace Corps Volunteers, expedites return-to-service opportunities for those impacted by COVID-19 and future comparable emergencies, and increases transparency as it relates to the agency’s Sexual Assault Advisory Council, among other provisions.
More information about the original bill is available here.
“This provision would authorize the transfer of equipment – currently collecting dust in the Defense Department’s inventory – to support partners with pressing security needs, as I urged the Administration to do for our partners fighting in Ukraine,” said Chairman Menendez. “Due to policy decisions from the prior and current Administration, the State Department has been forced to deplete its limited Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to pay for storage costs for equipment that was previously intended for but is no longer being sent to Pakistan. This is a straightforward provision to allow this equipment to be sent to other regions — particularly with urgent needs. Not only would my amendment support partners like Ukraine who have unmet needs, but it would also save tens of millions of otherwise wasted taxpayer dollars. I look forward to working with my colleagues to free up this equipment, and to continue my advocacy for U.S. support to Pakistan as it recovers from devastating floods.”
The provision would amend Section 8424 of title 22, U.S. Code – the PCCF – by providing transfer authority for currently frozen security assistance to Pakistan so that such security assistance may be used for other programs. It also stipulates that such assistance should be transferred to the maximum extent practicable, if appropriate, to Ukraine and Taiwan on an urgent basis. This U.S. security assistance has been frozen since the previous Administration, which has forced the State Department to spend limited FMF funds to pay the Department of Defense for storage costs for the unused military equipment.
“I was proud to work with my colleagues in passing the PARTNER with ASEAN Act this past May,” said Chairman Menendez. “In the face of growing 21st century challenges, ASEAN continues to be a major player in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. My amendment is an important step forward as the United States seeks to strengthen cooperation with our Southeast Asian partners and bolster our strong, reliable, and engaged presence in the Indo-Pacific region.”
The provision authorizes the extension of the provisions of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.) to ASEAN. It also expresses the sense of Congress that it is in the country’s interest to encourage the establishment – at the earliest opportunity – of an ASEAN delegation to the United States, to enhance cooperation with ASEAN at all levels, as well as support for the establishment of an ASEAN Center in the United States.
More information about the original bill is available here.
“Less than a year after Azerbaijan’s assault on eastern Armenia and more than two hundred days into the Aliyev regime’s blockade of Nagorno Karabakh’s indigenous Armenian population, it is clear that Azerbaijan has both used offensive force and continues to blockade vulnerable Armenians,” said Chairman Menendez. “Annual use of the 907 waiver violates the spirit of the Freedom Support Act. Moreover, given Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior, it is clear that conditions for use of the waiver are not being met, including certification that use of the waiver will not enable offensive actions against Armenia. Given this mockery of the law, it is high time to end the waiver through the National Defense Authorization Act process and pressure Baku to finally end its aggressive actions toward Armenians. I stand with the people of Nagorno Karabakh, who are facing the threat of famine, and the people of Armenia, who continue to recover from their own trauma as a result of Azerbaijan’s incursions into their homeland.”
This amendment prohibits the continued use of an exemption waiver of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which has been the law since 1992, and bans most assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan until it takes demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
“Security guarantees for the people of Nagorno Karabakh are essential for any lasting peace in the South Caucasus,” said Chairman Menendez. “Without justice, there can be no peace. That is why I firmly believe we must pursue investigations into all alleged war crimes. Moreover, we need to apply pressure to the Aliyev regime to prevent future war crimes, including through sanctions for those responsible.”
This amendment urges an end to Azerbaijan’s blockade of Nagorno Karabakh, calls for security guarantees for Nagorno Karabakh, calls for investigations into Azerbaijani war crimes, and expresses support for sanctions as a tool to hold accountable those complicit in human rights violations against Armenians.
“Earlier this year, I expressed deep concern as the Department of Commerce considered the export of rifles to Azerbaijan,” said Chairman Menendez. “Amidst Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression, consideration of this type of export is unacceptable. It is time to remove ambiguity from the equation, and make it clear that these types of exports are not allowed while Azerbaijan’s aggressive behavior continues.”
This amendment prohibits the authorization of any new export licenses for firearms or other offensive security or military equipment for the Government of Azerbaijan until presidential certification that Azerbaijan has ended offensive use of force against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
“I was proud to see my bipartisan Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act pass into law a few years ago, paving the way for the provision of defense articles vital to bolstering the defense of Cyprus,” said Chairman Menendez. “As Cyprus has met the requirements to receive such defense articles, this amendment will allow for longer term planning, and ultimately improve security coordination between the United States and the Republic of Cyprus and hopefully other regional allies and partners in the future.”
Allows the President to waive limitations on the transfer of articles on the United States Munitions List to the Republic of Cyprus for three fiscal years if statutorily required conditions are met, an increase from one fiscal year.
International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
“Human trafficking remains a horrific reality for millions around the world as global conflict, threats to democracy, and migration crises continue to create desperate circumstances and place already vulnerable communities at even greater risk of exploitation,” said Chairman Menendez. “This urgent legislation represents our ongoing commitment to maintain and strengthen U.S. government efforts to prevent human trafficking and hold governments to account. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure renewed U.S. leadership to combat the scourge of human trafficking worldwide.”
This amendment reauthorizes and strengthens critical U.S. programming, policy, and funds for global anti-human trafficking efforts, such as new requirements for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to integrate prevention efforts into broader global programming. Among other provisions, the legislation also amends the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act to ensure a nation’s commitment and progress toward implementing effective counter-trafficking measures are factors when determining recipients of U.S. development assistance.
More information about the original bill is available here.
International Children with Disabilities Protection Act
“Tragically, children with disabilities around the world are frequently denied the opportunity to grow up in a loving family, receive an education, and thrive in their communities,” said Chairman Menendez. “My amendment brings the United States one step closer to providing critical support to organizations of persons with disabilities and families of children with disabilities — the most important and effective advocates — who fight every day for the rights of these children globally. I welcome the strong bipartisan support of my Senate colleagues in redoubling our efforts toward advancing disability rights.”
This amendment bolsters U.S. support for children with disabilities and strengthens the ability of disability rights organizations and families to advocate for necessary reforms to protect these children. Chairman Menendez’s amendment authorizes $5 million annually for five years for an ‘‘International Children with Disabilities Protection Program,” a State Department small-grants program to empower organizations and families advocating for children with disabilities. In addition, the legislation bolsters U.S. policy to promote the development of laws and policies that support the full inclusion of children with disabilities in families.
More information about the original bill is available here.
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