Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

I rise in support of my bill, the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Act. This bill passed the House last year. I am pleased that the chairman and I were able to make it an early priority in this Congress.

This legislation strengthens our counterterrorism operations in Africa, an area where the terror threat is rapidly rising.

Our military successes in Iraq and Syria have splintered ISIS, squeezed terrorists out of the Middle East, and sent them fleeing to Africa. The numbers are alarming.

On the eve of 9/11, al-Qaida had only a few hundred followers. Today, it is estimated that 10,000 ISIS and al-Qaida jihadists have established bases across the continent.

Along with other existing terrorist organizations, such as Boko Haram, terrorism is taking hold in Africa and prohibiting its prosperity. We know that these groups have plotted attacks that threaten U.S. interests, and some have succeeded.

The Trump administration recently released their Africa strategy. It appropriately prioritizes U.S. efforts to counter radical Islamic terrorism on the continent. I applaud their continued focus on this issue.

My bill, which I introduced with my friend Mr. Keating, authorizes for the first time a program called the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. This program works with countries such as Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria to build their capacity to conduct counterterrorism operations, prevent the spread of violent extremism, and strengthen the rule of law.

Furthermore, it requires the State Department, USAID, and the Defense Department to work together to develop a counterterrorism strategy in Africa. By taking a multifaceted approach and better coordinating our efforts, we can prevent terrorism from gaining a larger foothold in these countries.

Again, I thank Mr. Engel and I thank Mr. Keating for their shared support of this cause, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairman Engel and Congressman Keating. The bill authorizes a really important interagency effort to combat terrorism and prevent the spread of radical Islamist extremism in Africa. As ISIS and other terrorist ideologies are degraded in the Middle East, they are, unfortunately, finding a safe haven in Africa.

We must partner with other nations to work to combat these threats before they impact the homeland. This bill will increase congressional oversight from our committee and better coordinate U.S. assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source