International Narcotics Control Caucus
1001712
198043994
2008-03-13T20:51:19Z
Nevermore27
1788296
/* Current Members of Narcotics Caucus */
The '''[[United States Senate]] [[Caucus]] on International [[Narcotics]] Control''' (also known as the '''Senate Narcotics Caucus''') was created to monitor and encourage the U.S. government and private programs seeking to expand international cooperation against [[drug abuse]] and [[narcotics trafficking]], and promote international compliance with narcotics control [[treaty|treaties]], including eradication.
As a formal organization of the Senate, the Caucus has the status of a [[Standing committee (United States Congress)|standing committee]]. It has [[subpoena]] power and is authorized to take [[testimony]] of witnesses and to produce books, records, papers, and documents that it deems necessary. In the past it has dealt with international cooperation, eradication, trafficking, [[interdiction]], [[border control]], drug strategies, assessments of [[Federal government of the United States|Federal]] programs, and [[money laundering]] issues.
The Caucus has held numerous hearings over the years and has issued a number of reports on U.S. narcotics control policy. The primary responsibilities of the I.N.C.C. have involved monitoring of compliance with international narcotics control treaties and agreements, and oversight of U.S. counter narcotics policy and activities.
==Establishment==
The United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control was originally called the United States Commission on International Narcotics Control, when it was established on [[August 16]], [[1985]] by the [[Foreign Relations Authorization Act]] for fiscal 1986 and 1987.
Pursuant to the [[Legislative Branch Appropriations Act]] of 1986 ({{USPL|99|151}}), the name of the Commission was changed to the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, effective [[November 13]], [[1985]]. (The [[United States House of Representatives|House]] had requested the name change because it would more accurately reflect the membership of the group, given that no House Members were to be appointed to it.)
==Membership==
The group's authorizing legislation ({{USPL|99|93}}) provided that the Commission draw its membership from the Senate and from experts in the [[private sector]]. Specifically, the group was to be composed of 12 members, seven Members of the U.S. Senate appointed by the [[Vice President of the United States|President of the Senate]], and five members from the private sector appointed by the [[President of the United States]]. Four of the seven [[Senator]]s, including one designated as [[Chairman]], were to be selected from the majority party after consultation with the [[Majority Leader of the United States Senate|Majority Leader]], and three, including the Member designated as Co-Chairman, were to be selected from the minority party, after consultation with the [[Minority Leader of the United States Senate|Minority Leader]]. The five Commission members selected from the private sector were to be appointed by the President after consultation with the Members of the appropriate [[United States Congressional committee|congressional committee]]s.
The appointment of private citizens was discontinued after 1987 in accordance with the group's redesignation as the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
==Current Members of Narcotics Caucus==
{|
| valign=top |
{| class=wikitable
! colspan=3 | Members
|-
! colspan=2 | Senator
! State
{{American politics/party colours/Democratic/row}}
| [[Joe Biden]], ''Chairman''
| [[Delaware]]
|-
{{American politics/party colours/Republican/row}}
| [[Chuck Grassley]], ''Co-Chairman''
| [[Iowa]]
|-
{{American politics/party colours/Republican/row}}
| [[Jeff Sessions]]
| [[Alabama]]
|-
{{American politics/party colours/Democratic/row}}
| [[Dianne Feinstein]]
| [[California]]
|-
{{American politics/party colours/Republican/row}}
| [[Norm Coleman]]
| [[Minnesota]]
|}
{{USCongressCommittees}}
[[Category:Caucuses of the United States Congress|Narcotics Control]]
[[Category:Committees of the United States Senate|Narcotics Control]]
[[Category:Drug control law]]
[[Category:Drug policy organizations]]