The proposed legislation reflects a growing concern over the influence and activities of these powerful drug cartels that have expanded their operations over recent years. By categorizing them as foreign terrorist organizations, the U.S. government may invoke additional legal mechanisms to combat their operations, potentially expanding law enforcement powers and altering international relations with Mexico as a partner in tackling these threats. Furthermore, it could also affect immigration policies with respect to individuals associated with these cartels.
Summary
House Bill 2633, known as the Terrorist Organization Classification Act of 2023, aims to direct the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress on the designation of several Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The bill specifically mentions MS-13, Queen Nation, Sinaloa, Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, and the Beltrán Leyva Organization as entities that meet the criteria for such a designation under U.S. law. This classification could imply significant implications for U.S. foreign and domestic policy, particularly regarding the war on drugs and related violence.
Contention
There could be significant debate surrounding this bill regarding the definitions used for terrorist organizations, with opponents likely arguing that such designations could complicate diplomatic relations and hinder potential solutions to combat drug trafficking. Furthermore, the use of the phrase 'foreign terrorist organization' could evoke concerns about broader implications for civil rights and the targeting of certain communities. Discussions among lawmakers might explore the balance between national security interests and the nuances of addressing transnational crime.
Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation ActThis bill directs the Department of State to designate four specified drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. (Among other things, such a designation allows the Department of the Treasury to require U.S. financial institutions to block transactions involving the organization.)The four specified cartels in the bill are the Gulf Cartel, the Cartel Del Noreste, the Cartel de Sinaloa, and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion.The bill also requires the State Department to submit a detailed report on those four cartels and any other cartels it may identify. Based on this report, the State Department must designate as a foreign terrorist organization any such identified cartel (or faction thereof) that meets certain criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.The bill specifies that it may not be construed to expand eligibility for asylum.
Security First Act This bill reauthorizes the Operation Stonegarden program from FY2024 through FY2027 and addresses other border security issues. (Operation Stonegarden provides grants to enhance the border security capabilities of state, local, and tribal governments.) From FY2024 through FY2027, the money from unreported monetary instruments seized from individuals crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and transferred into the Department of the Treasury general fund shall be made available without further appropriation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fund Operation Stonegarden. DHS must report to Congress on (1) DHS hiring practices from 2018 to 2021, and (2) whether certain Mexican drug cartels meet the criteria to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations. DHS must also periodically report to Congress about the technology needed to secure the U.S.-Mexico land border.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; provision related to officeholders raising funds when facing a recall; modify, and require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
Campaign finance: contributions and expenditures; funds donated to a candidate for recall efforts; require candidate to establish a separate account used for recall purposes. Amends secs. 3, 11, 12, 21, 24 & 52 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.203 et seq.) & adds sec. 21b.
A concurrent resolution recognizing wild rice as sacred and central to the culture and health of Indigenous Peoples in Minnesota and critical to the health and identity of all Minnesota citizens and ecosystems and establishing a commitment to passing legislation to protect wild rice and the freshwater resources upon which it depends.