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Public Law114th CongressInternational Affairs
H.R. 4939Became Law

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 16, 2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, including the private sector, and with civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean.

(Sec. 3) The Department of State shall submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement to support the efforts of interested nations in the Caribbean region that:

  • identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) priorities for U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region;
  • outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness and longevity of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI);
  • encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean 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;
  • improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments;
  • 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; and
  • describes ways to ensure the active participation of citizens of the Caribbean in existing program and initiatives administered by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

(Sec. 4) The State Department shall offer to annually brief the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to implement such strategy.

(Sec. 5) The President shall report within two years on progress made in implementing such strategy.

(Sec. 6) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to eliminate from the State Department's Foreign Service workplace report descriptions of steps taken in furtherance of compatibility and the development of uniform procedures and consolidated personnel functions.

What just happenedDec 16, 2016

Became Public Law No: 114-291.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16](D-NY)Sponsor
9 cosponsors7 D2 R
Read on Congress.gov
9cosponsors2committees33actions1amendments19subjects
  1. Dec 16, 2016President

    Became Public Law No: 114-291.

  2. Dec 16, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 114-291.

  3. Dec 16, 2016President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 16, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 15, 2016Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 15, 2016President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 13, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH41931

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

  8. Dec 13, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH41610

    On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H7584-7585; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H7584-7585)

  9. Dec 13, 2016NotUsed19500

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to without objection.(consideration: CR H7584-7585; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H7584-7585)

  10. Dec 13, 2016ResolvingDifferencesH40110

    Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and agree to the Senate amendment.

  11. Dec 12, 2016Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  12. Dec 10, 2016Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  13. Dec 10, 2016Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  14. Dec 10, 2016Floor

    The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

  15. Dec 10, 2016Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7127-7128; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S7127-7128)

  16. Dec 7, 2016Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 713.

  17. Dec 7, 2016Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  18. Dec 7, 2016Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  19. Dec 6, 2016Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  20. Jun 14, 2016IntroReferral

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

    Foreign Relations Committee
  21. Jun 13, 2016FloorH38310

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

  22. Jun 13, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 6 (Roll no. 297). (text: CR H3724-3725)

  23. Jun 13, 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): 386 - 6 (Roll no. 297).(text: CR H3724-3725)

  24. Jun 13, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3730-3731)

  25. Jun 13, 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.

  26. Jun 13, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4939.

  27. Jun 13, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3724-3727)

  28. Jun 13, 2016FloorH30300

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

  29. Apr 20, 2016Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  30. Apr 20, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  31. Apr 14, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  32. Apr 14, 2016IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  33. Apr 14, 2016IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawDec 16, 201649

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, including the private sector, and with civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean.

(Sec. 3) The Department of State shall submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement to support the efforts of interested nations in the Caribbean region that:

  • identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) priorities for U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region;
  • outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness and longevity of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI);
  • encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean 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;
  • improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments;
  • 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; and
  • describes ways to ensure the active participation of citizens of the Caribbean in existing program and initiatives administered by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

(Sec. 4) The State Department shall offer to annually brief the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to implement such strategy.

(Sec. 5) The President shall report within two years on progress made in implementing such strategy.

(Sec. 6) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to eliminate from the State Department's Foreign Service workplace report descriptions of steps taken in furtherance of compatibility and the development of uniform procedures and consolidated personnel functions.

Passed Senate amendedDec 10, 201635

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy to increase engagement with the governments of the Caribbean region, including the private sector, and with civil society in both the United States and the Caribbean.

(Sec. 3) The Department of State shall submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement to support the efforts of interested nations in the Caribbean region that:

  • identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) priorities for U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region;
  • outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness and longevity of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI);
  • encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean 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;
  • improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments;
  • 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; and
  • describes ways to ensure the active participation of citizens of the Caribbean in existing program and initiatives administered by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

(Sec. 4) The State Department shall offer to annually brief the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to implement such strategy.

(Sec. 5) The President shall report within two years on progress made in implementing such strategy.

(Sec. 6) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to eliminate from the State Department's Foreign Service workplace report descriptions of steps taken in furtherance of compatibility and the development of uniform procedures and consolidated personnel functions.

Passed House amendedJun 13, 201636

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill declares that it is U.S. policy 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.

(Sec. 3) The Department of State shall submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement with the Caribbean region that:

  • identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to prioritize U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region;
  • broadens State Department and USAID outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States to promote their involvement in Caribbean economic development and citizen security;
  • outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI);
  • encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean energy security;
  • improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments; and
  • assists Caribbean countries in diversifying their economies, reducing free trade and investment barriers, and supporting the training and employment of persons in marginalized communities.

(Sec. 4) The State Department shall annually brief the appropriate congressional committees on efforts to implement such strategy.

(Sec. 5) The President shall report within one year and biennially thereafter for four years on progress made in implementing such strategy.

(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the CBSI; and (2) diplomatic outreach from the U.S. embassy in Barbados to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.

(Sec. 8) The Foreign Service Act of 1980 is amended to eliminate from the State Department's Foreign Service workplace report descriptions of steps taken in furtherance of compatibility and the development of uniform procedures and consolidated personnel functions.

Introduced in HouseApr 14, 2016

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of State to submit to Congress a multi-year strategy for U.S. engagement with the Caribbean region that:

  • identifies State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) efforts to prioritize U.S. policy towards the Caribbean region;
  • broadens State Department and USAID outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community in the United States to promote their involvement in Caribbean economic development and citizen security;
  • outlines an approach to partner with Caribbean governments to improve citizen security, reduce illicit drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, and improve the effectiveness of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI);
  • encourages efforts of the region to implement regional and national strategies that improve Caribbean energy security;
  • improves diplomatic engagement with Caribbean governments; and
  • assists Caribbean countries in diversifying their economies, reducing free trade and investment barriers, and supporting the training and employment of persons in marginalized communities.

The Government Accountability Office shall submit reports to Congress regarding: (1) the CBSI; and (2) diplomatic outreach from the U.S. embassy in Barbados to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.

United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act of 2016 — Informed