Bill Summary
The Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act is a comprehensive bill that aims to establish a long-term strategy for the Pacific Islands, focusing on diplomatic presence, security cooperation, development initiatives, and the promotion of shared values. It also highlights the vulnerability of the Pacific Islands to external shocks and the need for economic recovery and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill includes measures to strengthen US presence in the region, support maritime security, and provide assistance for law enforcement and maritime enforcement capabilities. It also calls for the development of strategies to address climate change, promote civil society, and invest in critical infrastructure. The bill includes authorizations for appropriations to fund these efforts.
Possible Impacts
1. The "Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act" will lead to enhanced security cooperation and maritime security in the Pacific Islands through the establishment of an International Law Enforcement Academy and the development of a strategy to provide security assistance.
2. Under the legislation, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development will implement a strategy to address climate change in the Pacific Islands, focusing on coastal zone management, marine waste management, food security, and water resource management.
3. The bill also includes efforts to promote democratic values and civil society in the Pacific Islands through a program that supports independent media, citizen empowerment, and government accountability. This program will receive an annual funding of $15,000,000 from 2021 to 2025.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7797 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7797
To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and
policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 27, 2020
Mr. Case (for himself, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Bera, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Young, Mrs.
Radewagen, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. San Nicolas, Mr. Vargas, Mr.
Bacon, and Mr. Sablan) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the
Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and
policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Boosting Long-term
U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act'' or ``BLUE Pacific Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Statement of policy.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Authority to consolidate reports; form of reports.
TITLE I--DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION
Sec. 101. Diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 102. Maritime security in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 103. International Law Enforcement Academy for the Pacific
Islands.
Sec. 104. Security assistance for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 105. Transnational crime in the Pacific Islands.
TITLE II--DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
Sec. 201. USAID presence in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 202. Trade development with the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 203. Trade capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 204. Education and training program for natural disaster
preparedness and emergency management
professionals in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 205. Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 206. Public health in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 207. Education cooperation between the United States and the
Pacific Islands.
Sec. 208. Climate change in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 209. Climate resilient infrastructure and energy security in the
Pacific Islands.
Sec. 210. Coordination with other Federal agencies and cooperation and
participation of nongovernmental United
States entities.
TITLE III--PROMOTION OF SHARED VALUES
Sec. 301. Freedom of the press in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 302. U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Sec. 303. Gender equality.
Sec. 304. Pacific Islands Leadership Development Initiative.
Sec. 305. Civil society engagement and development.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Pacific Islands--
(A) are spread over a broad expanse of the Pacific
Ocean, including the three sub-regions of Melanesia,
Micronesia, and Polynesia;
(B) are home to some 2.3 million residents
constituting diverse and dynamic cultures and people;
and
(C) face shared challenges and opportunities in
development, including climate change, geographic
distances from major markets and vulnerability to
external shocks such as natural disasters.
(2) The United States is a Pacific country with
longstanding ties and shared values and interests with the
Pacific Islands, including through the Compacts of Free
Association with the Freely Associated States, the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and
the Republic of Palau.
(3) The United States has vital national security interests
in the Pacific Islands, including--
(A) protecting regional peace and security,
including through a regional order that fully respects
the sovereignty of all nations;
(B) advancing economic prosperity through trade and
development free from coercion; and
(C) supporting good governance, the rule of law,
and human rights and fundamental freedoms.
(4) The United States National Security Strategy released
in December 2017 outlines a United States foreign policy in the
Indo-Pacific region based on strengthening alliances and
partnerships old and new, promoting regional development
including through fair and reciprocal trade, and maintaining a
strong defense to protect regional peace and security. The
National Security Strategy includes a commitment to ``shore up
fragile partner states in the Pacific Islands region to reduce
their vulnerability to economic fluctuations and natural
disasters''.
(5) At the 30th Forum Partners Dialogue of the Pacific
Islands Forum held in Nauru in September 2018, then-Secretary
of the Interior Ryan Zinke stated: ``The United States is
deeply committed to the security and prosperity of our friends
and neighbors in the Pacific . . . We see all of the Pacific
Islands as an essential part of our free and open Indo-Pacific
policy . . . When the United States invests in the Pacific
Islands, we do so as a partner committed to a shared future
that advances national sovereignty, regional cooperation, and
trust.''.
(6) The Department of Defense's June 2019 Indo-Pacific
Strategy Report identified the Pacific Islands as ``critical to
U.S. strategy because of our shared values, interests, and
commitments'' and committed the United States to ``building
capacity and resilience to address maritime security; Illegal,
Unreported, and Unregulated fishing; drug trafficking; and
resilience to address climate change and disaster response''.
(7) The United States has deepened its diplomatic
engagement with the Pacific Islands through several recent
meetings, including--
(A) a historic White House meeting between
President Trump and the three Presidents of the Freely
Associated States on May 21, 2019;
(B) attendance at the 2018 and 2019 Pacific Islands
Forum Partners Dialogue by the Secretary of the
Interior;
(C) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie's
attendance at the inauguration of President David
Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia in July
2019; and
(D) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the
Federated States of Micronesia in August 2019.
(8) The Boe Declaration on Regional Security, signed by
leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, affirmed that
climate change ``remains the single greatest threat to the
livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of the peoples of the
Pacific'' and asserted ``the sovereign right of every Member to
conduct its national affairs free of external interference and
coercion''.
(9) The Asian Development Bank has estimated that the
Pacific Islands region needs upwards of $2.8 billion a year in
investment needs through 2030, in addition to $300 million a
year for climate mitigation and adaptation over the same
period.
(10) The Pacific Islands swiftly enacted effective policies
to prevent and contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease
2019 (commonly referred to as ``COVID-19'') pandemic to their
populations. To assist the Pacific Islands in their response,
the United States has provided over $32,000,000 in funding and
coordinated its efforts with the Pacific Joint Incident
Management Team. However, priorities must be met to ensure
continued success in preventing the spread of the COVID-19
pandemic and long-term economic recovery in the Pacific
Islands, including--
(A) expanding testing capacity and acquisition of
needed medical supplies through a reliable supply
chain;
(B) planning for lifting of lockdowns and reopening
of economic and social activities; and
(C) mitigating the impacts of lost tourism revenue
and other economic damages caused by the pandemic.
(11) Since 1966, thousands of Peace Corps volunteers have
proudly served in the Pacific Islands, building strong people-
to-people relationships and demonstrating the United States
commitment to peace and development in the region. Prior to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Peace Corps maintained presence in four
Pacific Island countries. Peace Corps volunteers continue to be
in high demand in the Pacific Islands and have been requested
across the region.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to develop and commit to a comprehensive, multifaceted,
and principled United States policy for the Pacific Islands
that--
(A) promotes peace and security for all countries
through a rules-based regional order that respects the
sovereignty and political independence of all nations;
(B) preserves the Pacific Ocean as an open and
vibrant corridor for international maritime trade and
promotes trade and sustainable development that
supports inclusive economic growth and autonomy for all
nations;
(C) improves civil society, strengthens democratic
governance and the rule of law, and promotes human
rights;
(D) assists the Pacific Islands in preventing and
containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and in
pursuing long-term economic recovery; and
(E) supports existing regional architecture and
international norms;
(2) to support the vision, values, and objectives of the
Pacific Islands Forum and other existing regional institutions
and frameworks, including--
(A) the 2014 Framework for Pacific Regionalism;
(B) the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security;
and
(C) the Boe Declaration Action Plan;
(3) to extend and renew the provisions of the Compacts of
Free Association and related United States law that will expire
in 2023 for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the
Federated States of Micronesia and in 2024 for the Republic of
Palau unless they are extended and renewed; and
(4) to work closely with United States allies and partners
with existing relationships and interests in the Pacific
Islands in advancing common goals.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee
on Armed Services, and the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the
Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
(2) Pacific islands.--The terms ``Pacific Islands'' means
the Cook Islands, the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of
Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, the Republic of Nauru, Niue, the Republic
of Palau, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the
Independent State of Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of
Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Vanuatu.
SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO CONSOLIDATE REPORTS; FORM OF REPORTS.
(a) Authority To Consolidate Reports.--Any reports required to be
submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this Act
that are subject to deadlines for submission consisting of the same
units of time may be consolidated into a single report that is
submitted to appropriate congressional committees pursuant to such
deadlines and that contains all information required under such
reports.
(b) Form of Reports.--Each report required by this Act shall be
submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.
TITLE I--DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION
SEC. 101. DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary of State should implement a strategy to expand the diplomatic
presence of the United States in the Pacific Islands, including by
increasing the number of missions and diplomats in the region and by
expanding and elevating United States participation in regional forums.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the diplomatic
presence of the United States in the Pacific Islands, including--
(1) a description of gaps in diplomatic presence;
(2) a description of limitations of such gaps on United
States strategic objectives;
(3) a description of the extent of United States membership
and participation in regional forums and organizations; and
(4) a strategy to expand and elevate diplomatic presence to
fill such gaps, including by establishing new missions,
expanding participation in regional forums, and elevating
United States representation in regional forums.
SEC. 102. MARITIME SECURITY IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States should seek to participate in and support efforts to coordinate
a regional response toward maritime security, including participation
by the United States and the Pacific Islands in the Pacific Fusion
Centre and the Information Fusion Centre.
(b) Shiprider Agreements.--The Secretary of State and the Secretary
of Homeland Security, in coordination with other Federal agencies as
appropriate, shall develop and implement a plan to expand cross-border
maritime law enforcement operations (commonly known as ``shiprider
agreements'') with the Pacific Islands.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on
United States efforts to promote maritime security in the
Pacific Islands.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required in
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) a description of issues and challenges
affecting maritime security for the Pacific Islands;
(B) a description of existing regional efforts to
promote maritime security, including shiprider
agreements and other operations between the United
States and the Pacific Islands;
(C) an assessment of areas in which the United
States can bolster and contribute to existing regional
efforts, including to expand shiprider agreements;
(D) a multi-year strategy for the implementation of
the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative in the
Pacific Islands, including core objectives; and
(E) measures of success for the strategy.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 103. INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY FOR THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall develop and implement
a plan to expand coverage of the International Law Enforcement
Academies (ILEA) program for the Pacific Islands, including by--
(1) expanding coverage of the regional program located in
Bangkok, Thailand to the Pacific Islands; or
(2) establishing a new regional program for the Pacific
Islands.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--The plan required by subsection (a)
shall include consultation and coordination with existing regional law
enforcement entities, including the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police
and civil society, including those focused on human rights and
specializing in victim-centered approaches, and take into consideration
costs of implementation, effectiveness, and capacity of the Pacific
Islands to participate in the ILEA program.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that contains the plan developed
under this section.
SEC. 104. SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Strategy.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop and implement a
strategy to provide assistance, including through the programs
and authorities described in paragraph (2), to the Pacific
Islands for purposes of--
(A) enhancing law enforcement, counter-narcotics
operations, and maritime enforcement capabilities; and
(B) building the capacity of local civilian and
national security institutions to provide essential
services to civilian populations and to respond to
humanitarian challenges.
(2) Programs and authorities described.--The programs and
authorities described in this paragraph are the following:
(A) The International Military Education and
Training program.
(B) The Foreign Military Financing program.
(C) The Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic
Aid program.
(D) The authority to build the capacity of foreign
security forces under section 333 of title 10, United
States Code.
(E) The authority to provide excess defense
articles under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
(3) National police forces and coast guards.--The national
police forces and coast guards of the Pacific Islands shall be
eligible to receive assistance under the programs and
authorities described in paragraph (2) for purposes of the
strategy required by this subsection.
(b) Matters To Be Included.--The strategy required by subsection
(a) shall seek to preserve peace and regional stability in the Pacific
Islands and take into consideration and seek to build upon but not
duplicate existing assistance provided by United States allies and
partners.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the
strategy developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall identify--
(A) security challenges to the Pacific Islands;
(B) demonstrated needs of the Pacific Islands for
assistance, including excess defense articles, to
fulfill such needs;
(C) existing assistance programs and efforts in the
Pacific Islands, including programs and efforts
provided by United States allies and partners;
(D) programs for training and sustainment with
respect to such excess defense articles;
(E) national police forces and coast guards of the
Pacific Islands receiving assistance under the
strategy;
(F) a plan to provide humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief, if necessary, through the Overseas
Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid program; and
(G) measures of success for the strategy.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $75,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 105. TRANSNATIONAL CRIME IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with other
Federal agencies as appropriate, shall develop and implement an
interagency strategy to combat counterfeiting, cybercrime, crimes
associated with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing,
drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and other forms of transnational
crime affecting the Pacific Islands.
(b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy required under this section
shall be coordinated with existing regional efforts and regional
institutions and frameworks, including the Pacific Islands Chiefs of
Police and the Pacific Transnational Crime Network.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the
strategy developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
(A) threats and challenges of transnational crime
in the Pacific Islands;
(B) existing law enforcement programs and efforts
in the Pacific Islands, including programs and efforts
provided by United States allies and partners; and
(C) objectives, means of implementation, and
measures of success for the strategy.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 though 2025
to carry out this section.
TITLE II--DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
SEC. 201. USAID PRESENCE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a
report on--
(1) the Agency's presence, staffing, programming, and
resourcing of operations in the Pacific Islands;
(2) gaps in such presence, including unfilled full-time
equivalent positions, limitations and challenges due to
staffing and support of Pacific Islands operations from the
USAID office in Manila, and gaps in programming and resourcing;
(3) limitations imposed by such gaps on United States
strategic objectives; and
(4) a strategy to expand such presence, including by
establishing new missions or offices.
SEC. 202. TRADE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States should expand bilateral and multilateral trade with the Pacific
Islands to promote development and mutual prosperity, particularly
through the negotiation of trade and investment framework agreements
with the Pacific Islands.
(b) Strategy.--The United States Trade Representative shall develop
and implement a strategy to expand and diversify trade and promote
regional development with the Pacific Islands, including through
negotiating trade and investment framework agreements and free trade
agreements, extending additional trade preferences, and other means.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Trade
Representative shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report that contains the strategy developed under
this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) include a plan to negotiate and enter into
trade and investment framework agreements and free
trade agreements with the Pacific Islands, as
appropriate; and
(B) identify opportunities to work with existing
regional frameworks to increase trade and economic
integration with the Pacific Islands.
SEC. 203. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall develop and implement a trade capacity
building initiative for the Pacific Islands.
(b) Conduct of Initiative.--The initiative developed under this
section shall be coordinated with existing regional efforts and
regional institutions and frameworks.
(c) Elements.--The initiative developed under this section shall--
(1) include an initial assessment of--
(A) economic opportunities for which United States
businesses, or those of other like-minded partners,
would be competitive; and
(B) legal, economic, governance, infrastructural,
or other hurdles limiting United States investment in
the Pacific Islands;
(2) develop human and institutional capacity and
infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies, including
digital connectivity and cybersecurity;
(3) assist with development and implementation of regional
and international trade agreements, including the World Trade
Organization's Agreement on Trade Facilitation and facilitation
of intra-regional trade flows;
(4) support women-owned enterprises and gender equality;
and
(5) promote government policies that encourage free and
fair competition, sound governance, and business environments
conducive to economic growth.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains
the initiative developed under this section.
(2) Update.--The Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees an updated report under
paragraph (1) not later than three years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $400,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through
2025 to carry out this section.
SEC. 204. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NATURAL DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS IN
THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall develop and implement an education and
training program on natural disaster prevention and preparedness for
emergency management professionals in the Pacific Islands.
(b) Conduct of Program.--The program developed under this section
shall seek to--
(1) leverage nongovernmental expertise in the United
States, including from institutions of higher education and
nonprofit organizations;
(2) integrate with and assist in the coordination of
existing disaster mitigation and response plans in the region;
and
(3) cooperate with existing efforts by United States allies
and partners in the region.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report on the
program developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
(A) disaster risks in the Pacific Islands;
(B) existing efforts by United States allies and
partners to provide assistance and training for natural
disaster preparedness and emergency management; and
(C) objectives, means of implementation, and
measures of success for the program.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 205. PEACE CORPS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the presence of the Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands
should be expanded and that the Peace Corps should reopen its
programs in as many of the Pacific Islands as possible,
including where it has previously operated but has suspended
operations; and
(2) consulting like-minded regional allies and partners,
such as Australia and New Zealand, is crucial for identifying
and overcoming challenges for increased Peace Corps presence in
the Pacific Islands.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report on--
(1) the presence of the Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands;
and
(2) a strategy to expand such presence, as appropriate,
including--
(A) outcomes of consultations with regional allies
and partners on areas in which cooperation can reduce
factors limiting Peace Corps expansion; and
(B) timelines for expanding and reopening programs
in the Pacific Islands.
SEC. 206. PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, in coordination with the Secretary of State,
shall develop and implement a strategy to improve public health in the
Pacific Islands, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section
shall be coordinated with existing regional efforts and regional
institutions and frameworks.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains
the strategy developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
(A) health care challenges, including health
systems strengthening, immunization, non-communicable
diseases, and gender-based violence, in the Pacific
Islands;
(B) public health challenges and needs related to
the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pacific Islands; and
(C) objectives, means of implementation, and
measures of success for the strategy.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 207. EDUCATION COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE
PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall develop and implement a strategy to
improve educational outcomes in the Pacific Islands and increase
educational exchange between the United States and the Pacific Islands.
(b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section
shall be coordinated with education initiatives in the Pacific Islands,
including the Pacific Regional Education Framework.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains
the strategy developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
(A) education challenges in the Pacific Islands;
and
(B) objectives, means of implementation, and
measures of success for the strategy.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 208. CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall develop and implement a strategy to
provide assistance to the Pacific Islands to address climate change,
with emphasis on coastal zone management, marine waste management, food
security, and water resource management.
(b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section
shall be coordinated with regional organizations and frameworks for
climate adaptation in the Pacific Islands.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the
strategy developed under this section.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through
2025 to carry out this section.
SEC. 209. CLIMATE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY SECURITY IN THE
PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Treasury, shall develop and implement a strategy to invest in and
improve critical infrastructure, including transport connectivity,
information and communications technology, and energy security and
access to electricity in the Pacific Islands, with an emphasis on
climate resilient infrastructure and clean energy programs.
(b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section
shall be coordinated with regional organizations and frameworks for
development in the Pacific Islands.
(c) International Financial Institutions.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall direct the representatives of the United States to the
World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, and the Asian
Development Bank to use the voice and vote of the United States to
support climate resilient infrastructure projects in the Pacific
Islands.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the
strategy developed under this section.
(2) Update.--The Administrator shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees an updated report under
paragraph (1) not later than three years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $200,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through
2025 to carry out this section.
SEC. 210. COORDINATION WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND COOPERATION AND
PARTICIPATION OF NONGOVERNMENTAL UNITED STATES ENTITIES.
In carrying out sections 203, 204, 206, 207, 208, and 209, the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development
shall--
(1) coordinate with existing programs and efforts of
relevant agencies of the United States Government, especially
with regards to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the
Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau; and
(2) seek the cooperation and participation of United States
private sector, United States nongovernmental organizations,
and United States institutions of higher education.
TITLE III--PROMOTION OF SHARED VALUES
SEC. 301. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall develop and implement a strategy for routine
professional exchanges and other activities to strengthen the press and
promote press freedom and investigative journalism capacity with
journalists and media professionals in the Pacific Islands and to
counter misinformation and disinformation.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report that
contains the strategy developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
(A) challenges to freedom of expression, including
for members of the press, in the Pacific Islands; and
(B) objectives, means of implementation, and
measures of success for the strategy.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 302. U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA.
(a) In General.--The Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Agency for
Global Media shall develop and implement a plan to provide expanded
media content to the Pacific Islands and partner with journalists in
the Pacific Islands.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report
that contains the plan developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an assessment of facilities and costs to expand
coverage to the Pacific Islands, including options to
utilize Voice of America affiliates;
(B) an identification of objectives, means of
implementation, and measures of success for the plan;
and
(C) an assessment on the scope and impact of media
training efforts and people-to-people engagements
organized by other countries for the Pacific Islands.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 303. GENDER EQUALITY.
(a) Statement of Policy.--Congress affirms the importance of gender
equality and women's empowerment to United States policy in the Pacific
Islands and recognizes the work of the existing regional frameworks and
platforms on gender equality.
(b) In General.--The Secretary of State and the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development shall--
(1) develop and implement an initiative to encourage and
support efforts by the Pacific Islands to reduce and combat
gender-based violence, in coordination with existing efforts by
United States allies and partners as well as regional
organizations; and
(2) promote gender equality in political, economic, social,
and cultural development programs in the Pacific Islands.
SEC. 304. PACIFIC ISLANDS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall develop and implement
a program to promote educational and professional development for young
adult leaders and professionals in the Pacific Islands with a
demonstrated passion to contribute to the continued development of the
Pacific Islands.
(b) Conduct of Program.--The program developed under this section
may be carried out through--
(1) grants provided on a competitive basis to qualified
organizations with demonstrated expertise relating to the
Pacific Islands;
(2) grants in amounts not to exceed $50,000 provided on a
competitive basis to qualified young leaders from the Pacific
Islands for the purpose of carrying out projects dedicated to
the improvement of their communities in the Pacific Islands;
(3) regional workshops and professional and academic
fellowships; and
(4) people-to-people exchanges.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit
to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the
program developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include an identification of objectives,
means of implementation, and measures of success for the
program.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
SEC. 305. CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall develop and implement a program to
promote the development of civil society in the Pacific Islands for the
purpose of--
(1) strengthening independent media and press freedom;
(2) empowering citizens to freely organize and communicate,
including through existing and new civic spaces;
(3) strengthening rule of law and increasing government
accountability; and
(4) promoting democratic political culture.
(b) Conduct of Program.--
(1) In general.--The program developed under this section
shall be carried out in consultation with local civil society
groups in the Pacific Islands, including civil society groups
that represent or work with traditionally marginalized groups.
(2) Elements.--The program developed under this section may
be carried out through--
(A) technical assistance and support, including
through training and professional and academic
fellowships;
(B) grants in amounts not to exceed $50,000
provided on a competitive basis to qualified civil
society organizations for the purpose of carrying out
projects and programs dedicated to the objectives
identified in subsection (a); and
(C) grants provided on a competitive basis to
qualified United States organizations with demonstrated
expertise in civil society development and the Pacific
Islands.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report on the program
developed under this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an assessment of the strength and viability of
civil society sectors of the Pacific Islands, including
legal, organizational capacity, financial, advocacy,
services, infrastructure, and public image sectors; and
(B) an identification of objectives and measures of
success for the program.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025
to carry out this section.
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