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Bill114th CongressFiled Jan 5, 2016International Affairs
H.R. 4314

Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Mar 21, 2016)

Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government must ensure that capacity-building assistance to combat terrorist travel is coordinated among departments and agencies as well as with foreign implementing partners, and (2) such assistance should be prioritized for the highest-risk countries for travel by terrorists and foreign fighters.

The Department of State shall submit to Congress biennially a foreign partner engagement plan that catalogues existing capacity-building initiatives abroad to combat travel by terrorists and foreign fighters and identifies areas for adjustment to align efforts with risk-based priorities.

The plan shall be developed in coordination with all relevant U.S. government departments and agencies.

The plan shall:

  • include a risk assessment of each country that includes identification of the number of U.S.-bound flights that originate from last points of departure in the country, visa waiver program status or visa application and denial rates, and the country's overall terror threat environment;
  • detail U.S. government programs and activities for building the country's capacity to combat travel by terrorists and foreign fighters, including estimated spending levels; and
  • outline a plan for prioritizing U.S. government resources for high- and medium-risk countries.

(Sec. 3) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department shall accelerate the provision of appropriate versions of the following systems to foreign governments:

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Automated Targeting System--Global, and
  • the State Department's Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System.

Prioritization shall be given to high- and medium-risk countries.

DHS may provide, with specified exceptions, excess DHS nonlethal equipment and supplies (as well as related training) to a foreign government if that would:

  • further U.S. homeland security interests; and
  • enhance the recipient government's capacity to mitigate the threat of terrorism, infectious disease or natural disaster, protect lawful trade and travel, or enforce intellectual property rights.

DHS and the State Department shall notify Congress before providing such systems, equipment, or supplies.

A notification shall include:

  • the vulnerability to be mitigated;
  • an explanation as to why the recipient is unable or unwilling to independently acquire such systems, equipment, or supplies;
  • an evacuation plan for sensitive technologies;
  • how the United States will ensure that such systems, equipment, or supplies are being used as intended; and
  • the total dollar value involved.

(Sec. 4) The State Department shall: (1) report to Congress annually through 2021 regarding foreign government efforts to combat terrorist and foreign fighter travel, and (2) incorporate the report into the annual country reports on terrorism.

The State Department may suspend non-humanitarian, non-trade-related foreign assistance to a foreign country identified in such a report as a country to which the minimum standards for serious and sustained efforts to combat terrorist and foreign fighter travel are applicable but whose government is not fully complying with such standards and is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance.

(Sec. 6) No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.

What just happenedApr 4, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1](R-NY)Sponsor
9 cosponsors2 D7 R
Read on Congress.gov
9cosponsors4committees20actions1related bills18subjects
  1. Apr 4, 2016IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  2. Mar 21, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Mar 21, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 371 - 2 (Roll no. 130). (text: CR H1480-1482)

  4. Mar 21, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 371 - 2 (Roll no. 130).(text: CR H1480-1482)

  5. Mar 21, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1491-1492)

  6. Mar 21, 2016FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  7. Mar 21, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4314.

  8. Mar 21, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1480-1484)

  9. Mar 21, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Feb 10, 2016IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H656)

  11. Feb 3, 2016Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

    Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
  12. Jan 7, 2016Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

    Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee
  13. Jan 7, 2016Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  14. Jan 7, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  15. Jan 5, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  16. Jan 5, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Homeland Security Committee
  17. Jan 5, 2016IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  18. Jan 5, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  19. Jan 5, 2016IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  20. Jan 5, 2016IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedMar 21, 201636

Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government must ensure that capacity-building assistance to combat terrorist travel is coordinated among departments and agencies as well as with foreign implementing partners, and (2) such assistance should be prioritized for the highest-risk countries for travel by terrorists and foreign fighters.

The Department of State shall submit to Congress biennially a foreign partner engagement plan that catalogues existing capacity-building initiatives abroad to combat travel by terrorists and foreign fighters and identifies areas for adjustment to align efforts with risk-based priorities.

The plan shall be developed in coordination with all relevant U.S. government departments and agencies.

The plan shall:

  • include a risk assessment of each country that includes identification of the number of U.S.-bound flights that originate from last points of departure in the country, visa waiver program status or visa application and denial rates, and the country's overall terror threat environment;
  • detail U.S. government programs and activities for building the country's capacity to combat travel by terrorists and foreign fighters, including estimated spending levels; and
  • outline a plan for prioritizing U.S. government resources for high- and medium-risk countries.

(Sec. 3) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department shall accelerate the provision of appropriate versions of the following systems to foreign governments:

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Automated Targeting System--Global, and
  • the State Department's Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System.

Prioritization shall be given to high- and medium-risk countries.

DHS may provide, with specified exceptions, excess DHS nonlethal equipment and supplies (as well as related training) to a foreign government if that would:

  • further U.S. homeland security interests; and
  • enhance the recipient government's capacity to mitigate the threat of terrorism, infectious disease or natural disaster, protect lawful trade and travel, or enforce intellectual property rights.

DHS and the State Department shall notify Congress before providing such systems, equipment, or supplies.

A notification shall include:

  • the vulnerability to be mitigated;
  • an explanation as to why the recipient is unable or unwilling to independently acquire such systems, equipment, or supplies;
  • an evacuation plan for sensitive technologies;
  • how the United States will ensure that such systems, equipment, or supplies are being used as intended; and
  • the total dollar value involved.

(Sec. 4) The State Department shall: (1) report to Congress annually through 2021 regarding foreign government efforts to combat terrorist and foreign fighter travel, and (2) incorporate the report into the annual country reports on terrorism.

The State Department may suspend non-humanitarian, non-trade-related foreign assistance to a foreign country identified in such a report as a country to which the minimum standards for serious and sustained efforts to combat terrorist and foreign fighter travel are applicable but whose government is not fully complying with such standards and is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance.

(Sec. 6) No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.

Introduced in HouseJan 5, 2016

Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government must ensure that capacity-building assistance to combat terrorist travel is coordinated among departments and agencies as well as with foreign implementing partners, and (2) such assistance should be prioritized for the highest-risk countries for travel by terrorists and foreign fighters.

The Department of State shall submit to Congress biennially a foreign partner engagement plan that catalogues existing capacity-building initiatives abroad to combat travel by terrorists and foreign fighters and identifies areas for adjustment to align efforts with risk-based priorities.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department shall accelerate the provision of appropriate versions of the following systems to foreign governments:

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Automated Targeting System--Global, and
  • the State Department's Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System.

DHS may provide, with specified exceptions, excess DHS nonlethal equipment and supplies (as well as related training) to a foreign government if that would:

  • further U.S. homeland security interests; or
  • enhance the recipient government's capacity to mitigate the threat of terrorism, infectious disease or natural disaster, protect lawful trade and travel, or enforce intellectual property rights.

DHS shall:

  • notify Congress before providing such systems, equipment, or supplies; and
  • report to Congress annually through 2021 regarding foreign government efforts to combat terrorist and foreign fighter travel.
Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016 — Informed