Timothy Kaine (D-VA)
Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act authorizes a security partnership between the United States and several beneficiary countries in the Caribbean. The bill directs the Secretary of State and the Administrator of USAID to implement an initiative focused on citizen safety, the rule of law, and countering criminal organizations. It prioritizes efforts to combat corruption and provides for increased resilience against natural disasters. The Act also seeks to counter the influence of authoritarian regimes in the region. An authorization of $88,000,000 is provided for each fiscal year from 2025 through 2029.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Does this send more money or help to other countries?
The bill authorizes significant funding to strengthen security partnerships in the Caribbean.
- Scored +6
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The act aims to enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership.
- Scored +6
Does this tighten control of the border?
The act provides support for strengthening border and port security to intercept contraband.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Public Safety and Security: The initiative aims to promote citizen safety and the rule of law through strategic engagement with local governments and civil society (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 1).
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Countering Criminal Activity: Provisions include countering transnational criminal organizations and local gangs through maritime and aerial security, as well as strengthening border and port security to intercept contraband (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 2).
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Enhanced Justice Systems: The bill seeks to build law enforcement and justice sector capacity, including strengthening special prosecutorial offices to combat corruption, money laundering, and trafficking (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 3).
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Youth Support and Crime Prevention: The Act includes efforts to increase economic opportunities for at-risk youth through workforce development and remedial education, while also improving juvenile justice sectors (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 4).
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Disaster Resilience: The bill prioritizes strengthening the ability of the security sector to respond to and recover from natural disasters through training and infrastructure resilience (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 5; Section 5, subsection a).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Economic Restrictions: The bill allows for the potential restriction of United States involvement in certain investment and infrastructure projects that may impact security assistance (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 7, subparagraph B).
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Surveillance and Monitoring: The initiative includes monitoring security assistance from specific authoritarian regimes and monitoring equipment from high-risk vendors (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 7, subparagraphs A and C).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this send more money or help to other countries? — The bill authorizes significant funding to strengthen security partnerships in the Caribbean. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The act aims to enhance the United States-Caribbean security partnership. Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill includes capacity building for cybersecurity systems to combat cybercrime. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — The bill emphasizes strategic engagement with local governments and civil society.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The act provides support for strengthening border and port security to intercept contraband. Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill supports training for civilian police in human rights and community-based policing. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill seeks to increase economic opportunities for at-risk youth through workforce development.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides workforce development and education opportunities for at-risk youth. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Focus on economic opportunities for vulnerable populations may benefit low-income households.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill prioritizes strengthening the ability of the security sector to respond to and recover from natural disasters.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill includes provisions to combat corruption through transparency in investments and bidding.
- 3/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CornynRepublican · Texas