Butler County Today

Today, Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) introduced the New Authorities Reforming Counter-Narcotic Operations (NARCO) Act of 2025. The bill aims to reform the U.S. State Department by restructuring the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It will place the INL under the International Security family within the department. This legislation is also designed to align with elements of the President's 2026 budget request.

"The NARCO Act of 2025 will modernize our approach to combatting international crime by ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and that our efforts are focused on dismantling criminal organizations that threaten our security," said Rep. Davidson. "This legislation is a major step toward aligning our national security strategy with efforts to combat cartels, the fentanyl crisis, illegal immigration, and other transnational threats."

The act includes several key provisions aimed at strengthening INL’s mission:

- It will cap justice capacity-building efforts at no more than 10% of the Bureau’s budget.

- It mandates that at least 20% of the budget be allocated toward rewarding successful interdictions and dismantling cartels.

- The act prioritizes countering activities such as narcotics trafficking and weapons smuggling that enable terrorist organizations.

- It expands INL’s role in combating illegal immigration and human smuggling.

- Coordination with key agencies like the Departments of Treasury, Justice, Homeland Security, and intelligence community will be enhanced.

- A searchable database for Bureau programs and expenditures will be created to ensure transparency.

Rep. Davidson emphasized that this bill reflects a vision focused on national security and law enforcement effectiveness as core components of foreign policy.