House Passes Bipartisan Espaillat Bill to Boost Security and Cooperation in the Caribbean

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on House passage of his bipartisan bill, H.R.4133 – The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Authorization Act. This legislation would allocate nearly $75,000,000 per year from 2022 through 2026 to improve security cooperation with Caribbean nations and combat illicit drug trafficking, support justice sector reform and strengthen the rule of law, and address instability caused by natural disasters.

"This bill is vital to combatting drug trafficking, promoting good governance and independent justice sectors, and empowering civil society in the Caribbean,"said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)."The U.S.’s partnership in strengthening the security of the Caribbean in a multidimensional manner will help fortify stability and development with some of our closest allies. Working together, we can help increase citizen safety, build resilience to natural disasters caused by climate change, and improve strategies to reduce illegal narcotics trafficking."

Rep. Espaillat secured $80 million for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative in the fiscal year 2022 federal budget. Rep. Espaillat’sH.R.4133 would codify funding increases as well as improve the efficacy and focus of CBSI to address continuing concerns in the region. It will incorporate efforts to promote disaster resiliency given increasing and worsening hurricanes in the region that threaten long-term security.

Read the bill in its entirety HERE.