Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008

MERIDA INITIATIVE TO COMBAT ILLICIT NARCOTICS AND REDUCE ORGANIZED CRIME AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008 -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 12, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY
OF NEW YORK
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008

* Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss HR 6028, ``The Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008.'' This bill would fund, train and equip Mexican security forces that would help prevent the trafficking of guns and drugs over the U.S.-Mexico border. I will vote for this bill, but I have some concerns about the Merida Initiative.

* By supporting the Merida Initiative, the United States demonstrates its commitment to prevent the illegal importation of guns and drugs by partnering with Mexican and Central American governments. This initiative benefits the larger battle against organized crime, prevents drugs from hitting American cities and counties, and stymies gang violence from spilling over the border.

* I believe that Congress must ensure our money is being used to prevent illegal materials from coming over the border. We have a responsibility to protect American citizens from drugs and violence. However, we also have a responsibility to make sure the money we appropriate for foreign governments is not directly or indirectly leading to human rights violations. Human rights abuses cannot and should not be perpetrated by personnel trained using American dollars. I applaud Chairman BERMAN and the Foreign Affairs Committee for placing restrictions on the uses of this money and firmly support investigations into reports of human right abuses in countries receiving Merida Initiative funding.

* Human rights violations have been reported in Mexico but are insufficiently investigated. A constituent of mine, Brad Will, a journalist for the Downtown Express, was murdered while on assignment in Mexico. The suspected gunmen were local officials. Tragically, his family is still waiting for justice. While we must protect our own citizens from guns and drugs, we must exercise the necessary oversight to ensure that this funding is used appropriately.

Source