WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Greg Stanton’s American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act with strong bipartisan support. The bill will increase cooperation between local entities in the United States and Mexico to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
“We need to use every tool we have to combat this epidemic—to stop drugs from coming into our country, and increase prevention and treatment efforts. The federal government must leverage the expertise of our partners in local law enforcement, business and civic leaders, NGOs and faith-based organizations on both sides of the border,” Stanton said in a speech on the House floor ahead of passage.
Stanton’s legislation would require the Secretary of State and Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development to submit a strategy to Congress to strengthen and improve:
- Law enforcement cooperation at the subnational level, including bolstering technological assistance for agencies, professional development exchanges, and enhanced data sharing;
- Coordination and dialogue between local governments, civil society, faith-based organizations and business community leaders;
- Capacity building and provide additional resources for border towns to meet local needs.
The legislation includes additional provisions to promote stability and growth in the region, including a feasibility study to use space-based technologies to increase remote, uncensored internet access in Mexico and countries in Central America and the Caribbean where governments block access to information. The bill also directs a review of steps the Department of the Treasury can take to expand access to capital in Caribbean nations, while taking steps to combat the illicit financing of narcotics.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.