The CAST Act, titled the Caribbean Anti-Smuggling of Trafficked Arms Act, would require the Secretary of Defense to prepare a comprehensive report within 180 days assessing whether the mission of the Joint Interagency Taskforce South (JIATF South) should be expanded to help combat illicit firearms trafficking from the United States to the Caribbean. The report would be prepared in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other appropriate federal agencies, and would evaluate feasibility, necessary international and interagency agreements, cost and resource implications, force depletion, and how JIATF South would coordinate with international, regional, federal, state, and local law enforcement. The bill also defines which congressional committees would review the report. Introduced in the House on April 10, 2025 by Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick (with Rep. Bell), and referred to the Armed Services Committee.
Key Points
- 1Short title: Caribbean Anti-Smuggling of Trafficked Arms Act (CAST Act).
- 2Reporting requirement: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Defense must submit a report (in coordination with State, Homeland Security, and other relevant agencies) to specified congressional committees.
- 3Scope of evaluation: Feasibility of expanding JIATF South’s mission to include combatting illicit firearms trafficking in the Caribbean.
- 4Interagency and international considerations: Summary of adjustments needed to treaties, status of forces agreements, or memoranda of agreement to enable such an expansion.
- 5Resource and cost analysis: Estimated cost and resources required for the proposed expansion.
- 6Force implications: Assessment of force depletion (i.e., impact on personnel and capabilities if resources are redirected).
- 7Coordination requirements: Evaluation of additional coordination needs between JIATF South and international, regional, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
- 8Congress defined: Specifies which committees in the House and Senate constitute the “appropriate congressional committees” for this report (House Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Homeland Security; Senate Foreign Relations, Armed Services, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs).