[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 102 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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115th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 102
Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and
Mexico, and recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances the
national security and national interests of both countries.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 29, 2017
Mr. Cornyn (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Durbin, Mr. McCain,
and Mr. Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Reaffirming the strategic partnership between the United States and
Mexico, and recognizing bilateral cooperation that advances the
national security and national interests of both countries.
Whereas the people of United States and Mexico enjoy shared cultural and
economic ties and both nations share common values based on the desire
to achieve peace, security, and prosperity in their respective
countries;
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Mexico engage in bilateral
cooperation on a broad range of issues that directly benefits each
country's national security and national interests;
Whereas the United States and Mexico enjoy close diplomatic cooperation and
Mexico has consistently voted with the United States at the United
Nations on challenges related to Syria, North Korea, and Ukraine, as
well as at the Organization of American States on issues related to
Venezuela;
Whereas Mexico is an important security and defense partner to the United
States, and regularly participates in training activities in
coordination with United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and the
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD);
Whereas consecutive United States and Mexican administrations have increased
bilateral defense and law enforcement cooperation on counterterrorism
and counternarcotics issues, including the illicit trafficking of
weapons, money, people, and drugs across the United States Southern
Border;
Whereas the Government of Mexico has utilized its military and Federal Police to
combat the transnational criminal organizations that have waged
campaigns of ruthless violence against the Mexican people and trafficked
an immeasurable quantity of illegal drugs into the United States that
have taken the lives of far too many Americans;
Whereas the administration of President Enrique Pena Nieto has extradited more
than 270 individuals facing criminal charges to the United States,
including Joaquin ``El Chapo'' Guzman on January 19, 2017;
Whereas the Government of Mexico has initiated an effort to reduce the growing
domestic production of heroin through the eradication of poppy and
destruction of labs used to make heroin;
Whereas Mexico has sought to improve anti-corruption efforts at the local,
State, and Federal level by adopting a national anticorruption system
and starting a transition from a Presidentially appointed attorney
general's office to a more independent prosecutor general's office
selected by the Mexican Senate;
Whereas, through the Merida Initiative, which was launched in 2008, the
Governments of the United States and Mexico have collaborated to combat
organized crime, strengthen the rule of law, advance judicial reform,
and address challenges to human rights in Mexico, including the
involvement of security forces in extrajudicial killings of civilians,
the disappearances of more than 23,000 individuals, and the unresolved
forced disappearance of 43 students in Guerrero State in 2014;
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Mexico collaborate on a broad
range of initiatives to strengthen the bilateral commercial and economic
relationship, including the ongoing High Level Economic Dialogue,
launched in 2013 to bring together cabinet officials from both countries
to promote economic growth, job creation, a modern and efficient border,
and competitiveness;
Whereas the United States and Mexico conducted $583,600,000,000 in trade in
goods and services in 2015, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative;
Whereas Mexico is the United States second largest export market and third
largest trading partner;
Whereas trade with Mexico and Canada supports nearly 14,000,000 United States
jobs; and
Whereas United States and Mexican citizens collaborate on a broad range of
initiatives to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and educational
exchanges: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) reaffirms the strategic partnership between the United
States and Mexico, which is vital for the national security and
economic well-being of both nations;
(2) supports continued diplomatic, economic, and security
cooperation between the United States and Mexico, including
undertaking joint efforts to address the common security
challenges and opportunities for improved commerce that exist
across their nearly 2,000-mile border;
(3) encourages enhanced security cooperation between the
United States and Mexican militaries and law enforcement
agencies to address common challenges such as counterterrorism
and counternarcotics, including the increased trafficking of
heroin and fentanyl;
(4) commits to continue the United States Government's
partnership with the Government of Mexico to combat the
transnational criminal organizations that are undermining the
rule of law in Mexico and projecting their influence in the
form of illicit trafficking of weapons, money, people, and
drugs across the United States Southern Border;
(5) supports efforts by the Government of Mexico to
strengthen the rule of law, reduce corruption, and advance
civil and human rights; and
(6) remains committed to a relationship between the United
States and Mexico that is based on mutual respect and the
promotion of shared democratic values and principles.
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