Sec. 1251. Sense of Congress on security sector assistance
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/bill/114/s/2943/pcs/section-1251A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of Congress that— United States security sector assistance is aimed at strengthening the ability of United States allies and partner nations to build their own security capacity, consistent with the principles of good governance and rule of law; in an environment of limited resources and diverse security challenges, it is essential that the United States be selective and focus targeted assistance where it can be most effective and where it is most aligned with broader foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States; the goals of United States security sector assistance are to— help partner nations build sustainable capacity to address common security challenges; promote partner support for United States interests; promote universal values, such as good governance, citizen security, and respect for human rights; strengthen collective security and multinational defense arrangements and organizations; and promote the adoption of United States products and technology, which increases interoperability and interdependence; the Department of State is the coordinator of United State foreign policy, and is responsible for policy direction on all matters relating to security sector assistance; the Department of Defense provides critical implementing support to the Department of State on security assistance programs, and conducts critical security cooperation programs of its own; other United States Government agencies, such as the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security, also play critical roles in executing a whole-of-government approach to security sector assistance; security sector assistance must be discharged as a shared responsibility across all departments and agencies of the United States Government, with all departments and agencies operating with a shared commitment to agility, effectiveness, and coordination; and as the two leading implementers of security sector assistance, the Department of State and Department of Defense should work collaboratively in all matters relating to security sector assistance, including by undertaking joint planning to determine the best application of security sector assistance programs under title 10, United States Code, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and other laws relating to such programs for the Department of Defense and the Department of State, particularly when the United States Government seeks to introduce a significant new military capability into a foreign country or region, significantly enhance the security capacity of a foreign country, or engage a diplomatically sensitive foreign country.