Background on the Extraordinary Session
The extraordinary session of the Mexican Congress of the Union, starting today and concluding no later than July 2, will address and potentially approve 16 significant topics. Among these are the enactment of the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law and reforms concerning forced disappearances and anti-money laundering measures.
Agenda Overview
- Ten topics remain pending in the Senate, including new laws and amendments to existing legislation.
- Six topics are pending in the Chamber of Deputies, comprising new laws and secondary legislation reforms.
Legislative Process and Key Reforms
The extraordinary session was approved by the Permanent Commission of Congress on Friday, with 26 votes from Morena and its allies (PVEM and PT) against nine from the opposition (PAN, PRI, and MC).
Senate Agenda
- Discussion and potential approval of six resolutions from the Chamber of Deputies and four new laws.
- Reforms to Article 60 Bis of the Wildlife Protection Law regarding marine mammal prohibitions.
- Amendments to the General Customs and Export-Import Tax Law concerning Totoaba commercialization, an endangered species.
- Revisions to the Federal Law Against Illicit Enrichment and Money Laundering, as well as Articles 11 Bis and 400 Bis of the Federal Criminal Code, targeting money laundering and terrorism financing.
- Enhancements to the Forced Disappearance Persons Act, Private Individuals’ Forced Disappearances Act, and the National Search System for Missing Persons Law.
- Creation of a new Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law, replacing the existing Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law.
- Modifications to the Federal Competition Law and the Federal Entities Law.
- Enactment of a National Law to Eliminate Bureaucratic Procedures.
Chamber of Deputies Agenda
- Three new laws: the National System for Investigation and Intelligence in Public Security, the General Law of the National Public Security System, and the Guardia Nacional Law.
- Amendments to Article 18 of the National Shield, Flag, and Anthem Law recognizing women who have transformed the nation.
- Revisions to the Federal Railway Service Regulation Law, the Federal Public Administration Organization Law, the Federal Roads and Federal Communication General Law, and the National Property Law in railway matters.
- Modification of Articles 53 and 57 Quarter of the Congress Organization Law to empower the Internal Audit of the Chamber of Deputies in transparency and accountability matters.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of this extraordinary session? The Mexican Congress aims to discuss and approve 16 significant topics, including new laws and reforms in telecommunications, forced disappearances, money laundering, and more.
- Which chambers are involved, and what is their agenda? Both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies are participating. The Senate will address six resolutions, four new laws, and reforms to existing legislation. The Chamber of Deputies will create three new laws and amend or reform several existing laws.
- What are the key reforms being considered? Key reforms include changes to marine mammal protection, Totoaba commercialization regulations, anti-money laundering measures, forced disappearance laws, telecommunications and broadcasting laws, competition and entitlements laws, bureaucratic procedures elimination, and transparency enhancements in the legislative process.
