Kelly, Cornyn Bill to Enhance U.S.-Mexico Counternarcotics Efforts Signed into Law
U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statements after their Counternarcotics Enhancement Act, which will require elements of the Intelligence Community to review any direct relationships with elements of the Government of Mexico, develop a strategy to enhance counternarcotics efforts, and make recommendations or request resources required to implement the strategy in furtherance of the national interest of the United States, was signed into law as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026:
“To win the fight against drug trafficking, the U.S. and Mexico have to work together against the cartels,” said Sen. Kelly. “This effort will make our country safer by keeping drugs off our streets through Intelligence Community engagement with the government of Mexico.”
“One innocent life lost because of illicit narcotics smuggled into the U.S. by way of Mexico is one too many,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will ensure our Intelligence Community leverages the U.S.-Mexico relationship to most effectively root out these silent killers and keep Americans safe.”
Background:
The Counternarcotics Enhancement Act will require elements of the Intelligence Community to submit to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) the following information:
- A description and assessment of their relationship, if any, with any element of the government of Mexico;
- A strategy to enhance counternarcotics cooperation and appropriate coordination with each element of the government of Mexico they have a direct relationship with;
- And recommendations and a description of the resources required to efficiently and effectively implement this strategy to further the national interest of the U.S.
Click here to read the full text of the provision and click here for a breakdown of major priorities secured by Kelly in the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026.
