Kelly Introduces Bipartisan Bill Strengthening U.S.-Mexico Alliance Against Cartels

Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has teamed up with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to introduce a bill enhancing collaboration between the United States and Mexico to fight the drug cartels.

Named the Counternarcotics Enhancement Act, Sen. Kelly's bill requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to provide a comprehensive plan addressing the current relationship with Mexico in fighting the cartels, how to improve upon it, and do so most efficiently.

"To win the fight against drug trafficking, the U.S. and Mexico have to work together against the cartels," said Sen. Kelly in his press release, adding, "This effort with Republicans and Democrats will make our country safer by keeping drugs off our streets through Intelligence Community engagement with the government of Mexico."

Sen. Cornyn said, "One innocent life lost because of illicit narcotics smuggled into the U.S. by way of Mexico is one too many. This legislation would ensure our Intelligence Community leverages the U.S.-Mexico relationship to most effectively root out these silent killers and keep citizens in both countries safe."

In mid-May, the Arizona Senator introduced a very similar bill, the Mexico Security Assistance Accountability Act, with Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA). Like the current Counternarcotics Enhancement Act, the Mexico Security Assistance Accountability Act requires the State Department to develop a strategy to revise current security assistance to Mexico so that its police, military, and national guard can better meet the country's security needs, including border protection.

At the end of the month, Kelly joined Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) in introducing the Combating Cartels on Social Media Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to counter cartel influence on the internet and contains provisions for companies to report recruitment posts on their platforms.

Similarly, at the end of June, Arizona Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro (R-29) announced that House Concurrent Resolution 2055 was passed, allowing the people of Arizona to vote on designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations under state law.