S.Amdt. 3550

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Kelly and Mr. Lankford, aims to add a new section titled "Combating Cartels on Social Media" to the bill. Its purpose is to address how transnational criminal organizations use social media and online platforms to recruit people in the United States for illegal activities.

The amendment adds the following requirements:

• Assessment of Use: The Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State must provide a joint report to Congress describing how these criminal organizations use "covered services" (like social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms) for recruitment and illicit activities, such as drug trafficking, human smuggling, and cyber crime.

• National Strategy: The same officials must create a "National Strategy to Combat Illicit Recruitment Activity by Transnational Criminal Organizations on Social Media and Online Platforms." This strategy must include:

  • Plans to improve cooperation between government agencies and law enforcement.
  • A process for voluntary reporting of recruitment efforts.
  • Outreach to youth in border communities.
  • Measures to protect privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, specifically for minors.

• Accountability and Implementation: The amendment requires the government to start implementing this strategy within 90 days of its submission and provide semiannual progress reports to Congress for 5 years.

• Limitations: The amendment explicitly states that it does not provide any additional funds and cannot be used to expand the existing law enforcement or regulatory authority of the involved departments.