House Passes Problem Solvers Caucus-Endorsed Pacific Partnership Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Pacific Partnership Act, legislation to strengthen the United States’ strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced by Representatives Ed Case (HI-01) and Andy Barr (KY-06) and has 21 additional cosponsors, seven of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Case and James Moylan (GU-AL). The bill received overwhelming support from both parties, passing on a voice vote.
The Pacific Islands are key partners in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Composed of 18 countries and territories across more than 20,000 islands, the Pacific Islands have long played a crucial role in U.S. efforts to address vital security, economic, environmental, and humanitarian challenges. The region's strategic importance has grown significantly in recent years as China seeks to expand its influence in the area.
The Pacific Partnership Act builds on the efforts of successive administrations to deepen U.S. engagement in the region to establish a comprehensive strategy to support diplomatic and security relationships with our allies in the Indo-Pacific. The legislation assures our partners and the world that the United States is committed to ensuring the long-term security and prosperity of our Indo-Pacific allies.
“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,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Vice Chair and Pacific Islands Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Ed Case (HI-01). “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.”
“The Pacific Partnership 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. 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,” said Congressman James Moylan (GU-AL).
“The Indo-Pacific region is vital to America’s economic and national security. As the security threat from China intensifies, we must double down on our Pacific partnerships and express our sustained commitment to mutual security,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the Pacific Partnership Act, which builds on the United States’s Indo-Pacific diplomacy and cements our leadership in the region.”
“Genuine partnership is essential to ensuring the strong strategic position and economic interests of our allies and the United States in the Indo-Pacific are guaranteed,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “As a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Pacific Partnership Act, I am proud that the Problem Solvers Caucus has put their support behind such a vital piece of legislation. We can and must use every tool at our disposal to ensure this region remains prosperous, secure, and free.”
“Since the start of the Congress, I have worked with members of both parties to strengthen our diplomatic partnerships across the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17). “In the face of an increasingly belligerent China, this is vital to our national security and to the shared security of the free world. That’s why I was proud to co-sponsor the Pacific Partnership Act. With the world again at a crossroads, deepening our ties in this important region is a must. The Pacific Partnership Act is a critical piece of the puzzle.”
“Our world faces vital security, economic, and humanitarian challenges. Maintaining relationships with the Pacific Islands is paramount to addressing these,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02). “Our nation is committed to preserving our long-term partnerships with the codification of the 2022 Pacific Partnership Strategy, which builds off successive administrations’ efforts in the Pacific Islands region.”
“Strengthening our presence and partnerships in the Pacific Islands region is important for peace and stability, especially as we see growing coercion from the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, and North Korea,” said Rep. Young Kim, who serves as chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee. “The Pacific Partnership Act reaffirms our commitment to our long-term partnership with the Pacific Islands nations, and I thank Reps. Moylan and Case for leading this commonsense, bipartisan bill. As chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee, I will continue working to ensure the United States leads on the world stage and cooperates with our allies and partners to deter aggression, promote peace through strength, and keep the Indo-Pacific free and open.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.