S.820 - Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act authorizes the Secretary of State and USAID to carry out the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) in beneficiary countries. The goal is to promote citizen safety, security, and the rule of law, counter transnational criminal organizations, and enhance natural disaster resilience. The act allocates $88 million annually from 2025-2029 for these purposes and requires implementation plans and progress updates to be submitted to Congress.
Expected Effects
This act will likely lead to increased US engagement in the Caribbean region through security assistance and development programs. It aims to strengthen the capacity of beneficiary countries to combat crime, improve governance, and respond to natural disasters. The initiative also seeks to counter malign influence from authoritarian regimes in the region.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced security cooperation between the US and Caribbean nations.
- Improved capacity of Caribbean countries to combat transnational crime and local gangs.
- Strengthening of law enforcement and justice sector capacity in beneficiary countries.
- Increased resilience to natural disasters in the Caribbean region.
- Promotion of the rule of law and countering malign influence from authoritarian regimes.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for over-reliance on US assistance and reduced local ownership.
- Risk of unintended consequences from security assistance, such as militarization of police forces.
- Possible tensions with authoritarian regimes due to efforts to counter their influence.
- Bureaucratic hurdles and delays in implementation of the initiative.
- Funding may be insufficient to address all the challenges in the region effectively.
Constitutional Alignment
The act aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) and to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18). The act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).