H.R. 567 would allow the secretary of state to establish the “Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) Program.” The TSCTP Program would “coordinate all programs, projects, and activities of the United States Government in countries in North and West Africa,” including improving the “ability of military and law enforcement entities in partner countries to detect, disrupt, respond to, and prosecute violent extremist and terrorist activity,” to “cooperate with the United States and other partner countries on counterterrorism and counter-extremism efforts,” and to “enhance the border security capacity of partner countries,” along with helping those African governments provide numerous social services for their citizens.
The House passed H.R. 567 on June 29, 2021 by a vote of 395 to 15 (Roll Call 192). We have assigned pluses to the nays because the U.S. Constitution does not authorize Congress or the Executive Branch to enter into permanent military alliances (which could result in dragging the United States into a war), provide or facilitate social services in foreign countries, or protect the borders of countries overseas, especially when our national borders remain unprotected.
