September 23, 2021

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Secures Four Priority Amendments in NDAA

Jacobs leads effort to boost human rights and conflict resolution provisions in Defense Authorization bill

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53,) a member of the Armed Services Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee, successfully advanced four amendments this week during floor consideration of the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4350). 

The Jacobs amendments prioritize human rights, increase oversight of security assistance, and address the root causes of conflict abroad. 

Congresswoman Jacobs’ amendments are as follows:

  • Human Rights Vetting of Security Assistance: An amendment that applies human rights vetting on foreign forces and irregular forces for U.S. special operations support to combat terrorism. This closes a significant loophole and strengthens the U.S. commitment to human rights by increasing vetting measures to ensure that recipients of U.S. support have not committed gross human rights violations or violations of international humanitarian law. This amendment was endorsed by eight civil society organizations and co-sponsored by Reps. Tom Malinowski, Barbara Lee, Rashida Tlaib, Ro Khanna, and Jesús “Chuy” Garcia.

  • Conflict Assessment in Haiti: An amendment that requires the Secretary of State to conduct and report to Congress a conflict assessment in Haiti, similar to the Congresswoman’s amendment offered during a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup.

  • Strategy for U.S. Policy in Mozambique: An amendment that requires the Secretary of State to devise an interagency strategy to address the root causes of violent extremism and conflict in Mozambique.

  • Increased Oversight of Security Assistance Funding: An amendment that requires congressional notifications and an annual reporting requirement for increased oversight of the Peacekeeping Operations account, which despite the name, funds a range of stabilization, border security, defense sector reform, and counterterrorism programs.

These amendments were included in the second bipartisan en bloc package and will be added to the National Defense Authorization Act via floor vote this afternoon.