The U.S. House passed this week a bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) aimed at strengthening the response to acts of terrorism perpetrated by the militant group Boko Haram.
The bill requires a new five-year U.S. government strategy to counter the threats posed by Boko Haram, while also providing assistance to the Government of Nigeria in addressing the legitimate grievances of vulnerable people affected by the group.
“Boko Haram has pledged allegiance to ISIS and continues to commit terrible acts of brutal violence against civilians in Nigeria as well as in Chad, Cameroon, and Niger,” Collins said. “This bipartisan legislation signals a renewed congressional commitment to pursuing Boko Haram and bolstering U.S. efforts throughout the region. The already dire situation there will continue to worsen if the current trajectory is not significantly altered.”
In response to the kidnapping of 276 Nigerian schoolgirls by the group in 2014, Collins, along with U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), led all 20 women senators to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to seek the addition of Boko Haram to the United Nation’s al-Qaeda sanctions list. Following their actions, the United Nations Security Council voted to subject the group to a complete asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
Following its passage, the bill will now be sent to the President’s desk for approval.
“I urge the President to immediately sign this bill into law and send an international signal that we will never forget the girls of Nigeria who were targeted simply because they chose to pursue an education,” Collins said.
Cosponsors of the bill include: U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patty Murray (R-WA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), David Vitter (R-LA), and James Inhofe (R-OK).