NARCO Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 4645

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2025-09-12T14:15:51Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The NARCO Act of 2025 aims to strengthen U.S. efforts against international drug trafficking, organized crime, and related threats by updating the role and responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) within the State Department. It focuses on improving coordination, funding allocation, and program effectiveness to protect U.S. national security and homeland safety.

Key Provisions

• Reporting Structure: The Assistant Secretary for INL must report directly to the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs.
• Core Responsibilities (outlined in a detailed list):
• Monitor and coordinate all U.S. foreign policy matters related to international narcotics, anti-crime, and law enforcement, including programs run by other government agencies.
• Combat global narcotics production, trafficking, illicit finance, and materials used by transnational criminal organizations, cartels, and foreign terrorist groups that endanger U.S. security.
• Build capacity in foreign justice systems (e.g., courts, prosecutions, prisons, and asset sharing), with a cap of 10% of total grant funding for these activities.
• Provide training and equipment to foreign police, border officials, and civilian law enforcement for anti-crime efforts, ensuring thorough vetting to avoid aiding problematic units.
• Manage rewards and bounties through the Narcotics Rewards Program and Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, with up to $25 million available annually for information leading to captures or interdictions of key criminals; prioritizes threats from criminal and terrorist groups, with input from agencies like the FBI, DOJ, DEA, ICE, DoD, and intelligence community; unspent funds carry over to future years.
• Dedicate at least 20% of the INL Bureau's annual budget to the rewards programs for bounties targeting homeland security threats.
• Collaborate with agencies like the intelligence community, Treasury, DOJ, DoD, and DHS for a comprehensive response to international crimes affecting U.S. citizens.
• Address transnational crimes such as human trafficking, illegal immigration, arms/wildlife/cultural property smuggling, migrant smuggling, corruption, money laundering, bulk cash smuggling, and emerging threats; prioritizes narcotics trafficking and activities by terrorist-linked groups.
• Consult regularly with U.S. ambassadors (chiefs of mission) and other agency heads for effective overseas program coordination.
• Work with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to share lessons learned from other U.S. agencies.
• Create monitoring and evaluation standards for INL programs, using success metrics beyond just drug production or seizure amounts.
• Develop a searchable online database (with partners) tracking all INL spending, grants, rewards, success metrics, and program goals; requires annual written certification to Congress on compliance with Foreign Service rules for U.S. personnel abroad funded by INL.
• Handle additional duties as assigned by the Under Secretary.
• Rule of Construction: The changes do not reduce the authority of other federal agencies in law enforcement, domestic security, or intelligence activities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Section 1(c)(3) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)(3)) by:

• Adding a specific reporting line to the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs (previously not detailed).
• Replacing the prior broad descriptions of INL responsibilities with a more specific, expanded list (new subparagraph B), emphasizing prioritization of rewards programs, budget allocations (e.g., 20% minimum for rewards, 10% cap for justice systems), interagency coordination, vetting requirements, and new tools like the searchable database and success metrics.
• Inserting a new subparagraph C to clarify that the amendments do not interfere with other agencies' roles, which was not explicitly stated before.

These updates shift INL from a more general oversight role to one with targeted mandates on funding, priorities, and transparency.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Enhances coordination among the State Department, DOJ, DEA, FBI, DHS, DoD, Treasury, and intelligence agencies, potentially streamlining anti-crime efforts but increasing administrative burdens (e.g., database development and annual certifications). Could lead to more efficient use of resources through carried-over funds and shared priorities.
• Citizens: Improves U.S. homeland security by better countering drug trafficking, terrorism, and related crimes that affect public safety, such as narcotics influx or human trafficking; may indirectly benefit communities through stronger international partnerships reducing cross-border threats.
• International Relations: Strengthens U.S. ties with foreign governments via training, equipment, and justice system support, fostering cooperation on global crime; however, vetting requirements and priorities on terrorist-linked groups could strain relations with countries hosting such entities or raise concerns about U.S. interference in sovereign justice systems.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Government Entities: State Department's INL Bureau (core focus), Under Secretary for International Security Affairs, and partner agencies (e.g., DEA for drug enforcement, FBI/DOJ for investigations, DHS for border security).
• Foreign Governments and Entities: Law enforcement, police, border control, judicial systems, and prisons in partner countries receiving U.S. training, equipment, or grants.
• U.S. Citizens and Communities: Indirectly affected through reduced threats from international crime and terrorism.
• Transnational Actors: Criminal organizations, cartels, and designated foreign terrorist groups targeted by rewards, interdictions, and counteractions.
• Congress: Receives annual certifications and oversees funding allocations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces existing programs like rewards initiatives while adding safeguards (e.g., vetting to comply with U.S. laws against aiding human rights abusers) and transparency tools (database, metrics), potentially reducing legal risks in foreign assistance; the rule of construction preserves interagency balance under Executive Order 12333 (governing U.S. intelligence activities).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over foreign affairs and appropriations (Article I), with no apparent conflicts to executive powers or due process; emphasizes national security without infringing on individual rights.
• Political: Signals a bipartisan push (introduced by Rep. Davidson) to prioritize counter-narcotics amid ongoing border and opioid crises, potentially influencing future budgets and foreign aid; the 20% budget mandate for rewards could spark debates on resource allocation, while international focus might affect diplomatic negotiations with drug-producing nations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• New Authorities Reforming Counter-narcotic Operations Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (9 pages)