U.S. House Passes Case Measure To Further Strengthen Partnerships Between The United States And Pacific Island Nations
His bi-partisan Pacific Partnership Act targets broader and deeper engagement by the U.S. throughout the Pacific in key areas sought by Pacific Island nations
News release from Office of Rep Ed Case, Washington, DC, September 10, 2024
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai’i-First District) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 7159, his proposed Pacific Partnership Act, to further increase U.S. engagement in the critical Pacific region.
Case, a Co-Chair and Founding Member of the first-ever Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, introduced the measure together with 25 other bipartisan colleagues.
“Our country’s Indo-Pacific Strategy states in no uncertain terms that no region is of more consequence to the world and to everyday Americans than the Indo-Pacific,” said Case in remarks during full House debate on the measure. “The United States and our allies and partners around the world who are aligned with an international rules-based order share the common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific whose governance, priorities, goals and prosperity are determined by the countries of the Indo-Pacific without manipulation and dominance by malicious actors.
“This is especially true of the Pacific Islands themselves, in the heart of the Pacific, which today face the challenges of increased natural disasters and human and drug trafficking, economic sustainability, threats to democracy and more. It is crucial that the United States continue to extend our hand of full partnership in assisting the countries of the Pacific to meet these challenges, as we have for generations.”
The Pacific Partnership Act requires an annually-updated Strategy for Pacific Partnership that sets specific goals for United States engagement with the Pacific Islands, assesses the threats and pressures to the region and a plan to address such threats, and analyzes the needs and goals of the Pacific Islands in the context of the national interests of the United States. The bill also requires the strategy to be developed in consultation with the governments of Pacific Islands countries, ensuring that the United States follows through on its commitment to support Pacific-led priorities. The bill further extends diplomatic courtesies to the Pacific Islands Forum, the primary multilateral organization of the Pacific Islands nations, and requires increased collaboration in U.S. efforts in the Pacific with ally and partner nations including Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
“I am honored to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Case that builds off of the actions of successive administrations to strengthen United States engagement in the Pacific Islands," said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY 6th District). "It is essential that the United States demonstrates that we are not merely interested in the region, but we are invested in an evolving, enduring relationship with our Pacific Islands partners.
“This important, forward-looking legislation ensures that all arms of the United States government are in coordination to support a rules-based order and address threats to sovereign nations across the region."
"As a Pacific nation, the United States has a responsibility to engage and strengthen the partnerships that have ensured the region's security and prosperity for decades,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY 5th District), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which approved Case’s bill unanimously. “This legislation will ensure future administrations build on President Biden's leadership to maintain our focus on the Pacific Islands."
“I want to thank Congressman Case for this much-needed bipartisan bill, said Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa). “The United States is a Pacific nation, and our region is critically important to U.S. interests. While Congress has extended the Compacts of Free Association for another 20 years for three Pacific Island countries, there are 11 other nations who need our attention. The United States has enduring cultural, historic, economic, and people-to-people connections with the Pacific Islands. The Pacific Partnership Act will go far in providing better focus for U.S. engagement with Pacific Island nations.”
"The United States is a Pacific nation, and it is critical that we partner with our friends in the Pacific to tackle shared challenges including climate resilience, healthcare, and economic development," said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA 6th District). "This bill designates the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and encourages the establishment of a PIF mission in America. The bill also solidifies our commitment to the region by codifying the Pacific Partnership Strategy. By strengthening our diplomatic presence in the region, we ensure that the United States remains a reliable partner in promoting a free, resilient, and prosperous Pacific."
"The Pacific Partnership Act bolsters our longstanding relationship with the Pacific Islands, a crucial region in our defense against the Chinese Communist Party,” said Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR 3rd District).
“This bill strengthens our partnerships and supports American defense. This is particularly meaningful to my constituents in Northwest Arkansas, given the high concentration of Marshallese in our region. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and am pleased it passed the House."
“We must counter ongoing aggression from the PRC by building effective relationships with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA 36th District). “The Pacific Partnership Act would support diplomatic, strategic and economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen our defenses against CCP aggression. I am pleased to have been a cosponsor on this important bill and am hopeful that it will be signed into law.”
"Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the critical importance of American leadership in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL 2nd District). “Continuing the crucial partnership to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties with the Pacific Islands is essential to counteract the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party.
“The Pacific Partnership Act benefits both America and the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. must continue to show strength and promote regional stability and cooperation."
"The U.S. shares a long history with the Pacific Islands, and we must continue to prioritize our diplomatic, economic, and security relationships in the region,” said Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA 47th District). “Pacific Islanders abroad and in the U.S. are counting on us to counter Chinese aggression, right our historic wrongs, and strengthen our cooperation with these important partners. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee’s Indo-Pacific Taskforce and a cosponsor of the Pacific Partnerships Act, I’m glad we are moving forward on developing a forward-looking framework to help shape U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific for the years to come."
“The Pacific Partnerships Act stands to shift America’s perspective of global affairs, by acknowledging our country's deep cultural ties to the Pacific and refocusing on the region as core to national security,” said Congressman James Moylan (R-Guam).
“The bill’s requirement for consecutive national strategies on Pacific will provide continuity and focus to our nation’s engagement with Pacific partners. I thank Rep. Case for his work on this bill, and his specific focus on elevating small pacific island communities such as Guam.”
“The U.S.’s longstanding partnerships with the Pacific Islands are critical to national security. The Pacific Partnership Act, which I was proud to cosponsor, ensures we have a strategy for engaging with nations in the Indo-Pacific region and sets us up to support our allies while also preserving U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security interests," said Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ 1st District). "Today, I was pleased to see this legislation pass the House of Representatives, marking an important step forward in enhancing our national security.”
“Supporting our friends and allies in the Indo-Pacific is essential to guaranteeing American security in the region and across the world,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th District). “This legislation will bolster security, stability, and growth across the Pacific Islands while expanding collaboration on efforts to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s continuing aggression.”
“A strong Indo-Pacific is critical for our national security and economy,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D-WA 10th District). “The Pacific Islands are key partners, and the Pacific Partnership Act further solidifies our relationship and diplomacy with them.”
Case continued: “As ourselves a Pacific nation for over two centuries, we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with the Pacific Islands which only continues to increase in historic, economic, cultural and strategy significance.
“Our Pacific Partnership Act advances the breadth and depth of our engagement with the Pacific Islands on issues of particular importance to the Pacific Islands, as recently reconfirmed in the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Tonga. In doing so, we advance the mutual national and international interests of like-minded nations throughout the Indo-Pacific who are committed to an international rules-based democratic order.”
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