Bill Summary: Western Hemisphere Security Strategy Act of 2022

Bill Title: Western Hemisphere Security Strategy Act of 2022

Introduction: The bill was introduced by Mr. Rubio along with Mr. Menendez, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Kaine, and Mr. Coons in the Senate of the United States on February 7, 2022. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Purpose: The bill aims to establish a United States security strategy for the Western Hemisphere and promote security, stability, and prosperity in countries of the region.

Sense of Congress: The bill expresses the sense of Congress on various aspects related to the Western Hemisphere, including:

• The importance of security, stability, prosperity, and democratic governance in countries of the Western Hemisphere to the national interests of the United States.
• The risks posed by the malign influence of the Governments of China and Russia in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• The need for the United States to strengthen alliances, partnerships, and security cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.
• The importance of addressing shared challenges, such as narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, transnational criminal organizations, and promoting rule of law, democracy, and human rights in the region.
• The need for the United States to maintain credible security capabilities and increase investments in the Western Hemisphere.

Security Strategy: The bill mandates the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly develop and submit a multi-year strategy, known as the "Western Hemisphere Security Strategy," within 180 days of the bill's enactment. This strategy is meant to enhance diplomatic engagement and security assistance, promote regional security and stability, and advance U.S. strategic interests in the Western Hemisphere.

Elements of the Strategy: The strategy must include the following elements:

1. A proposal for increasing United States security assistance and cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
2. Activities to build the defense and security capacity of partner countries in the region.
3. Efforts to counter malign influence by state actors and transnational criminal organizations.
4. Efforts to disrupt and counter transnational illicit trafficking, particularly narcotics trafficking.
5. Activities to increase transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in defense, security, and law enforcement institutions.
6. Expansion of military training exercises with partner countries in the region.
7. Initiatives for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and promoting the development of responsive institutions.
8. Support for women, peace, and security initiatives, including ensuring the safety and rights of women and promoting their participation in the defense and security sectors.
9. Professional military education initiatives.
10. An assessment of resources required for implementation.

Implementation: The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense must commence the implementation of the strategy within 90 days of its submission. They are also required to provide regular briefings to the appropriate committees of Congress on the implementation. The authority under this section will terminate three years after the bill's enactment.

Report on Efforts to Capture and Detain U.S. Citizens as Hostages: The bill instructs the Secretary of State to submit a report within 30 days of the bill's enactment to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The report should cover efforts by the Maduro regime of Venezuela to detain U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including the individuals involved and any role played by transnational criminal organizations. The report should also assess if and how U.S. citizens have been lured to Venezuela. The report will have an unclassified form but will include a classified annex listing the total number of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents detained or imprisoned in Venezuela.