[114th Congress Public Law 291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 130 STAT. 1497]]
Public Law 114-291
114th Congress
An Act
To increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, the
Caribbean diaspora community in the United States, and the private
sector and civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean,
and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 16, 2016 - [H.R. 4939]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: United States-
Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016. 22 USC 2151 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States-Caribbean Strategic
Engagement Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States to
increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region and
with civil society, including the private sector, in both the United
States and the Caribbean, in a concerted effort to--
(1) enhance diplomatic relations between the United States
and the Caribbean region;
(2) increase economic cooperation between the United States
and the Caribbean region;
(3) support regional economic, political, and security
integration efforts in the Caribbean region;
(4) encourage enduring economic development and increased
regional economic diversification and global competitiveness;
(5) reduce levels of crime and violence, curb the
trafficking of illicit drugs, strengthen the rule of law, and
improve citizen security;
(6) improve energy security by increasing access to diverse,
reliable, and affordable power;
(7) advance cooperation on democracy and human rights at
multilateral fora;
(8) continue support for public health advances and
cooperation on health concerns and threats to the Caribbean
region; and
(9) expand Internet access throughout the region, especially
to countries lacking the appropriate infrastructure.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: Deadline. Coordination.>> STRATEGY.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a multi-year strategy for
United States engagement to support the efforts of interested nations in
the Caribbean region that--
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(1) identifies Department of State and USAID priorities, in
coordination with other executive branch agencies, for United
States policy towards the Caribbean region;
(2) outlines an approach to partner with governments of the
Caribbean region to improve citizen security, reduce the
trafficking of illicit drugs, strengthen the rule of law, and
improve the effectiveness and longevity of the Caribbean Basin
Security Initiative;
(3) establishes a comprehensive, integrated, multi-year
strategy to encourage efforts of the Caribbean region to
implement regional and national strategies that improve energy
security, by increasing access to all available sources of
energy, including by taking advantage of the indigenous energy
sources of the Caribbean and the ongoing energy revolution in
the United States;
(4) outlines an approach to improve diplomatic engagement
with the governments of the Caribbean region, including with
respect to human rights and democracy;
(5) Describes how the United States can develop an approach
to supporting Caribbean countries in efforts they are willing to
undertake with their own resources to diversify their economies;
(6) describes ways to ensure the active participation of
citizens of the Caribbean in existing program and initiatives
administered by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs; and
(7) reflects the input of other executive branch agencies,
as appropriate.
SEC. 4. BRIEFINGS.
The Secretary of State shall offer to the appropriate congressional
committees annual briefings that review Department of State efforts to
implement the strategy for United States engagement with the Caribbean
region in accordance with section 3.
SEC. 5. <<NOTE: President.>> PROGRESS REPORT.
Not later than 2 years after the submission of the strategy required
under section 3, the President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on progress made toward implementing
the strategy\\.
SEC. 6. REPORTING COST OFFSET.
Section 601(c)(4) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
4001(c)(4)) is amended by striking ``the following:'' and all that
follows through ``(B) A workforce plan'' and inserting ``a workforce
plan''.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
(2) Caribbean region.--The term ``Caribbean region'' means
the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative beneficiary countries.
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(3) Security assistance.--The term ``security assistance''
has the meaning given such term in section 502B(d)(2) of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(d)(2)).
Approved December 16, 2016.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 4939:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016):
June 13, considered and passed House.
Dec. 9, considered and passed Senate, amended.
Dec. 13, House concurred in Senate amendment.
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