,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #aeg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #c1 #bjag,mr4 ,hastings 7for himself and ,mr4 ,schweikert7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to authorize assistance for the ,government of ,tunisia1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,combatting ,terrorism in ,tunisia ,emergency ,support ,act of #bjag4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #c4 ,findings and declarations4 ,sec4 #d4 ,statement of policy regarding ,tunisia4 ,sec4 #e4 ,assistance to strengthen and reform the security sector of ,tunisia4 ,sec4 #f4 ,assistance to support efforts of the ,government of ,tunisia to combat terrorism4 ,sec4 #g4 ,assistance to support the military readiness of the ,government of ,tunisia4 ,sec4 #h4 ,assistance to support democracy and civil society in ,tunisia4 ,sec4 #i4 ,assistance to support increased border security for ,tunisia4 ,sec4 #aj4 ,economic reforms and assistance4 ,sec4 #aa4 ,memorandum of understanding4 ,sec4 #ab4 ,strategic plan4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,defense article2 defense service2 training ,the terms defense article1 defense service1 and training have the meanings given those terms in section #dg of the ,arms ,export ,control ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bgid note74 #c4 ,findings and declarations ,congress finds and declares the following3 7#a7 ,tunisia has been a critical ally of the ,united ,states for more than #bjj years1 dating back to #agig when the ,treaty of ,peace and ,friendship was signed1 ensuring the safety and availability of open sea lanes in the ,mediterranean ,sea4 7#b7 ,on ,december #aj1 #bjaj1 the self-immolation of ,tunisian fruit vendor1 ,mohammed ,bouazizi1 inspired popular revolutions across the region leading to political transitions in four countries1 often referred to as the ,arab ,spring1 and initiating ,tunisia's transition to democracy4 7#c7 ,in #bjad1 ,tunisia became the first country with a majority ,muslim population in the ,middle ,east or ,north ,africa to experience both ,presidential and parliamentary political transitions through free and fair democratic elections4 7#d7 ,since #bjaa1 more than #c1jjj ,tunisian citizens have gone to fight in ,syria making ,tunisia one of the largest contributors to foreign fighters in ,syria4 7#e7 ,tunisia shares a #bhe-mile border with neighboring ,libya and is currently hosting more than #a1jjj1jjj ,libyan refugees fleeing the ongoing ,libyan civil war and the ,islamic ,state 7,,isis74 7#f7 ,the terrorist group ,ansar al-,sharia 7,,aas7 was founded in ,april #bjaa in ,tunisia and is ideologically aligned with ,al-,qaeda in the ,maghreb 7,,aqim7 and ,,isis4 ,,aas is responsible for the assassinations of ,tunisian ,,mp ,mohamed ,brahimi on ,july #be1 #bjac1 and secular-democratic political activist ,chokri ,belaid on ,february #f1 #bjac4 7#g7 ,on ,september #ad1 #bjab1 ,ansar al-,sharia terrorists attacked the ,united ,states ,embassy compound1 annex1 and school in ,tunis1 ,tunisia1 causing millions of dollars in damages4 7#h7 ,on ,january #aj1 #bjad1 ,ansar al-,sharia was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the ,united ,states4 7#i7 ,on ,march #ah1 #bjae1 #ah people were killed in a terrorist attack at the ,bardo ,national ,museum in ,tunis1 ,tunisia4 7#aj7 ,on ,june #bg1 #bjae1 at least #ci people were killed and #cf injured in a terrorist attack on the beach of a hotel resort in ,sousse1 ,tunisia4 ,the gunmen had received training and support from ,,isis in ,libya4 7#aa7 ,on ,may #ba1 #bjae1 ,tunisia was designated as a major non-,,nato ally of the ,united ,states4 7#ab7 ,on ,september #bi1 #bjae1 ,tunisia joined the ,united ,states-led coalition to counter ,,isis4 7#ac7 ,on ,november #bd1 #bjae1 ,,isis militants conducted a bus bombing1 targeting the ,tunisian ,presidential guard and killing #ab people in ,tunis1 ,tunisia4 7#ad7 ,on ,march #g1 #bjaf1 ,,isis militants crossed the ,tunisian-,libyan border assaulting the city of ,ben ,guerdane1 ,tunisia1 killing #ee people during the attack4 #d4 ,statement of policy regarding ,tunisia 7a7 ,in general ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states to further assist the democratically elected ,government of ,tunisia in eliminating terrorist organizations that operate in ,tunisia and neighboring ,libya and preventing fighters in ,syria from returning to ,tunisia4 7b7 ,conduct of policy ,the policy described in subsection 7a7 shall be carried into effect1 through a comprehensive effort1 in coordination with allies and partners of the ,united ,states1 where appropriate1 that will strengthen the capabilities and coordination of the internal security agencies1 combat terrorism1 strengthen military readiness1 assist in the improvement of the economic performance of ,tunisia1 assist in the development of civil society and provide assistance for border security1 and other technical assistance4 #e4 ,assistance to strengthen and reform the security sector of ,tunisia 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of the ,congress that-- 7#a7 security is a fundamental component of political stability and economic development2 7#b7 the security sector of ,tunisia suffers from decades of corruption and public mistrust under the ,ben ,ali period2 7#c7 significant reform is necessary to enable the ,tunisian security services to combat terrorism and reinforce the rule of law2 7#d7 a corrupt security sector impedes development1 deters investment1 perpetuates poverty1 and undermines the rule of law2 and 7#e7 in making security sector reforms it is imperative that the ,government of ,tunisia also protect the fundamental human rights enshrined in ,tunisia's constitution4 7b7 ,assistance authorized ,the ,secretary of ,state1 acting directly or through nongovernmental organizations1 international organizations1 or related organizations1 is authorized to provide assistance to strengthen and reform the security sector of ,tunisia1 including to-- 7#a7 facilitate better coordination among ,tunisian security agencies1 including the ,general ,directive for ,public ,safety1 the ,directorate ,general of the ,special ,services1 and the ,directorate ,general of ,technical ,services2 7#b7 increase accountability within the ,ministry of the ,interior2 7#c7 improve training for members of the judiciary1 especially judges and prosecutors1 instituting practices that conform to international standards for the rule of law2 7#d7 increase police training programs that emphasize locally inspired and informed curricula and methods2 and 7#e7 strengthen civilian oversight of the security sector4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for ,international ,narcotics ,control and ,law ,enforcement funding for fiscal year #bjaf1 there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,state #ac1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag to carry out this section4 #f4 ,assistance to support efforts of the ,government of ,tunisia to combat terrorism 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,state1 acting directly or through nongovernmental1 international organizations1 or related organizations is authorized to support efforts of the ,government of ,tunisia to combat terrorism1 including by-- 7#a7 providing technical training and equipment to assist ,tunisia to protect facilities1 individuals1 and infrastructure2 7#b7 expanding training in the areas of crisis response and tactical and command training2 7#c7 improving the capacity of ,tunisian law enforcement to investigate terrorist incidents2 and 7#d7 increasing training to prevent and respond to improvised explosive devices4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for ,anti-terrorism ,assistance funding for fiscal year #bjaf1 there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,state #f1ajj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag to carry out this section4 #g4 ,assistance to support the military readiness of the ,government of ,tunisia 7a7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that expeditious consideration of sale1 lease or loan1 grant1 or transfers of defense articles1 defense services1 and major defense equipment under the ,arms ,export ,control ,act1 ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa1 or any other provision of law is consistent with ,united ,states policy to assist the ,government of ,tunisia in eliminating terrorist organizations that pose a threat to the national security and stability of ,tunisia4 7b7 ,assistance authorized 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president is authorized to provide defense articles1 defense services1 and training to the ,government of ,tunisia for the purpose of countering terrorist threats pursuant to the provisions of the ,arms ,export ,control ,act 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #bgea et seq471 the ,foreign ,assistance ,act of #aifa 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #baea et seq471 and other relevant provisions of law4 7#b7 ,types of assistance ,assistance authorized under paragraph 7#a7 may include the provision of armored personnel carriers1 helicopters1 reconnaissance surveillance drones1 and secure command and communications equipment4 7c7 ,report required ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit a report detailing the anticipated defense articles1 defense services1 and training to be provided pursuant to this section and a timeline for the provision of such defense articles1 defense services1 and training1 to-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 and the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,senate2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 and the ,committee on ,armed ,services of the ,house of ,representatives4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,foreign military financing ,of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for ,foreign ,military ,financing funding for fiscal year #bjag1 there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,state #fe1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,international military education and training ,of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for ,international ,military ,education and ,training funding for fiscal year #bjag1 there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,state #b1cjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag to carry out this section4 #h4 ,assistance to support democracy and civil society in ,tunisia 7a7 ,sense of congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 ,tunisia represents one of the most promising opportunities for a pluralistic and participatory democracy in the ,middle ,east and ,north ,africa2 and 7#b7 the success of ,tunisia's peaceful pursuit of democracy is an inspiration to1 and model for1 other countries in the region1 and should be fully supported by the ,united ,states as it works to aid ,tunisia to consolidate and build upon its democratic gains4 7b7 ,assistance authorized ,the ,secretary of ,state1 acting directly or through nongovernmental organizations1 international organizations1 or related organizations1 is authorized to provide assistance to support democracy and civil society in ,tunisia1 by-- 7#a7 continuing the support of political party development and improved communications with constituents2 7#b7 increasing the capacity of the ,tunisian ,parliament and ministries to perform their mandated functions including by providing the infrastructure necessary to modernize official communications and records keeping2 7#c7 improving the public affairs functions of the ,government of ,tunisia to communicate more effectively with citizens across the country2 7#d7 increasing the professional capacity of support staff in the ,tunisian ,parliament2 7#e7 encouraging the development of job creation programs especially in the interior regions of ,tunisia2 7#f7 supporting ,tunisian civil society organizations focused on government transparency and accountability2 7#g7 supporting ,tunisian agencies and organizations engaged in preparations for upcoming municipal elections2 7#h7 supporting ,tunisian agencies and organizations engaged in countering radicalization programs2 and 7#i7 encouraging the development of employment assistance programs targeted at youth and first time job seekers4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for ,economic ,support ,fund funding for fiscal year #bjag1 there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,state #gd1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag to carry out this section4 #i4 ,assistance to support increased border security for ,tunisia 7a7 ,sense of congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7#a7 terrorist organizations such as ,ansar al-,sharia and the ,islamic ,state have exploited the ongoing unrest in ,libya and created terrorist sanctuaries in ungoverned regions of ,libya2 and 7#b7 such terrorist organizations have carried out cross-border attacks inside ,tunisia and therefore represent a significant threat to the stability of the nascent democratic government of ,tunisia4 7b7 ,assistance authorized ,the ,secretary of ,state is authorized to provide assistance to support increased border security for ,tunisia by enhancing ,tunisia's capabilities to detect1 identify1 and interdict illicit trafficking of weapons through intensive training and equipment donation4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for ,export ,control and ,related ,border ,security ,assistance funding for fiscal year #bjag1 there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,state #a1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag to carry out this section4 #aj4 ,economic reforms and assistance 7a7 ,sense of ,congress 7#a7 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7,a7 ,on ,december #ac1 #bjaf1 the ,millennium ,challenge ,corporation 7,,mcc7 ,board of ,directors selected ,tunisia as a recipient of an ,,mcc compact--a #e-year grant that will encourage economic growth and reduce poverty4 7,b7 ,the ,,mcc noted that their selection of ,tunisia was based1 in part1 on the fact that the country has consolidated its democratic gains1 has created a significant policy reform agenda1 and has continued to work to combat poverty and inequality4 7#b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that-- 7,a7 supporting ,tunisia's orderly reform of its economic and social sectors should be a priority of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 the ,government of ,tunisia has made notable progress liberalizing its economy after decades of corruption and social exclusion under the ,ben ,ali period but more reforms are needed to solidify ,tunisia's economic stability2 and 7,c7 such reforms should aim to provide an environment that is conducive to investment while maintaining important and meaningful labor protections4 7b7 ,economic reforms and assistance 7#a7 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7,a7 ,the ,world ,bank has identified areas of the ,tunisian economy in need of immediate structural reforms4 7,b7 ,implementing these reforms may lead to short-term economic hardships for many ,tunisian citizens4 7#b7 ,reprogramming authority ,in order to ameliorate these short-term hardships and incentivize the ,government of ,tunisia to continue implementing economic reforms1 the ,secretary of ,state is authorized to reprogram funds from prior appropriated but unobligated balances to carry out the activities in support of ,tunisia's economic reforms4 #aa4 ,memorandum of understanding ,the ,secretary of ,state is authorized1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the ,government of ,tunisia to increase military cooperation1 including joint military exercises1 personnel exchanges1 and enhanced strategic dialogue between the ,united ,states and ,tunisia4 #ab4 ,strategic plan 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,state shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategic plan to carry out this ,act4 7b7 ,elements ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include the following elements3 7#a7 ,clearly defined goals and objectives1 including definitions of success1 benchmarks1 and a process for incorporating lessons learned4 7#b7 ,robust monitoring and evaluation procedures for all programs carried out under this ,act4 7#c7 ,intended implementing partners1 including associated roles1 and procedures to increase coordination and collaboration and eliminate overlap4