Bill Summary
The "Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act" or "BLUE Pacific Act" is a comprehensive legislation that focuses on promoting long-term engagement and cooperation with the Pacific Islands. It includes findings on the importance of the region for the United States and sets policies and strategies for addressing issues such as economic development, climate change, and national security. The legislation also includes provisions for expanding trade, enhancing security and countering transnational crime, promoting climate resilient development, and investing in education and leadership development in the Pacific Islands. It also authorizes appropriations for various initiatives and requires reporting on the progress and implementation of these efforts.
Possible Impacts
1. The BLUE Pacific Act requires the development of a comprehensive strategy to address security challenges, including maritime security and transnational crime, which will help build the capacity of local institutions and improve the safety and well-being of Pacific Island communities.
2. As part of the legislation, the United States is directed to expand and diversify trade with the Pacific Islands, promoting mutual prosperity and economic growth in the region. This will be achieved through the development and implementation of a trade strategy and the authorization of appropriations for trade development initiatives.
3. The legislation also includes provisions for promoting climate resilient development in the Pacific Islands, with a strategy to invest in critical infrastructure and support ecosystem conservation. It also includes a focus on promoting shared values, such as press freedom and gender equality, in the region. This will help to address issues such as economic development and the effects of climate change on the Pacific Islands.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4811 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4811
To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and
policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 8, 2022
Ms. Cortez Masto introduced the following bill; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
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 TITLES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Titles.--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 titles; 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--UNITED STATES ENGAGEMENT AND COUNTERING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME
Sec. 101. Diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 102. International Law Enforcement Academy for the Pacific
Islands.
Sec. 103. Security assistance for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 104. Countering transnational crime.
Sec. 105. Coordination with regional allies.
TITLE II--DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
Sec. 201. Trade development with the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 202. Trade capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 203. Emergency preparedness initiative for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 204. Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 205. Public health in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 206. Education assistance.
Sec. 207. Climate resilient development in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 208. Coordination with other Federal agencies and cooperation and
participation of nongovernmental United
States entities.
TITLE III--PROMOTION OF SHARED VALUES
Sec. 301. Press freedom in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 302. United States 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 home to roughly 10,000,000 residents,
including more than 8,600,000 in Papua New Guinea,
constituting diverse and dynamic cultures and peoples;
(B) are spread across an expanse of the Pacific
Ocean equivalent to 15 percent of the Earth's surface,
including the 3 subregions of Melanesia, Micronesia,
and Polynesia; and
(C) face shared challenges in development that have
distinct local contexts, including climate change,
rising sea levels, 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 that
fully respects the sovereignty of all nations;
(B) advancing economic prosperity free from
coercion through trade and sustainable development; and
(C) supporting democracy, good governance, the rule
of law, and human rights and fundamental freedoms.
(4) Successive United States administrations have
recognized the importance of the Pacific region, including the
Pacific Islands, in high-level strategic documents, including--
(A) the 2015 United States National Security
Strategy, which--
(i) first declared the rebalance to Asia
and the Pacific;
(ii) affirmed the United States as a
Pacific nation; and
(iii) paved the way for subsequent United
States engagement with the Pacific Islands,
including several new policies focused on
conservation and resilience to climate change
that were announced in September 2016;
(B) the 2017 United States National Security
Strategy, which includes a commitment to ``shore up
fragile partner States in the Pacific Islands region to
reduce their vulnerability to economic fluctuations and
natural disasters''.
(C) the 2019 Indo-Pacific Strategy Report, which
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''.
(5) The United States has deepened its diplomatic
engagement with the Pacific Islands through several recent
initiatives, including--
(A) the Pacific Pledge, which provided an
additional $100,000,000 in 2019 and $200,000,000 in
2020, in addition to approximately $350,000,000 that
the United States provides annually to the region to
support shared priorities in economic and human
development, climate change, and more; and
(B) the Small and Less Populous Island Economies
Initiative, which was launched in March 2021 to
strengthen United States collaboration with island
countries and territories, including in the Pacific
Islands, regarding COVID-19 economic challenges, long-
term economic development, climate change, and other
shared interests.
(6) 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 well-being 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''.
(7) The Asian Development Bank has estimated that the
Pacific Islands region has up to $2,800,000,000 per year in
investment needs through 2030, in addition to $300,000,000 per
year for climate mitigation and adaptation during the same
period.
(8) 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. The United States has provided more than
$130,000,000 in assistance to the Pacific Islands for their
COVID-19 response. However, priorities must be met to ensure
continued success in preventing the spread of the COVID-19
pandemic, achieving swift and widespread vaccinations, and
pursuing long-term economic recovery in the Pacific Islands,
including through--
(A) expanding testing capacity and acquisition of
needed medical supplies, including available COVID-19
vaccines, and supporting vaccination efforts through a
reliable supply chain;
(B) planning for lifting of lockdowns and reopening
of economic and social activities; and
(C) mitigating and recovering from the impacts of
the COVID-19 pandemic on the health system and the
reliance on food and energy imports and lost tourism
revenue and other economic and food security damages
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
(9) 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. Before the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Peace Corps maintained a presence in 4
countries of the Pacific Islands. 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 in the Pacific Islands
that--
(A) promotes peace, security, and prosperity 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--
(i) supports inclusive economic growth and
autonomy for all nations; and
(ii) addresses socioeconomic challenges
related to public health, education, renewable
energy, digital connectivity, and more;
(C) supports regional efforts to address the
challenges posed by climate change, including by
strengthening resilience to natural disasters and
through responsible stewardship of natural resources;
(D) improves civil society, strengthens democratic
governance and the rule of law, and promotes human
rights and the preservation of the Pacific Islands
region's unique cultural heritages;
(E) assists the Pacific Islands in preventing and
containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and in
pursuing long-term economic recovery; and
(F) supports existing regional architecture and
international norms;
(2) to support the vision, values, and objectives of
existing regional multilateral institutions and frameworks,
such as the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Community,
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, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan,
in advancing common goals.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development.
(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--Except as
otherwise provided, the term ``appropriate congressional
committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives.
(3) Pacific islands.--The term ``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.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of State.
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 under this Act shall be
submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES ENGAGEMENT AND COUNTERING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME
SEC. 101. DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands
necessitates an examination of whether United States
diplomatic, economic, and development engagement and presence
in the Pacific Islands region is sufficient to effectively
support United States objectives and meaningful participation
in regional forums;
(2) improving shared understanding of, and jointly
combating the transnational challenges pertinent to, the
Pacific Islands region with countries of the Pacific Islands
and regional partners, such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan,
and Taiwan, is vitally important to our shared long-term
interests of stability, security, and prosperity;
(3) the United States should seek to participate in, and
support efforts to coordinate, a regional response toward
maritime security, including through--
(A) continued United States and Pacific Islands
participation in the Pacific Fusion Centre in Vanuatu
and the Information Fusion Centre in Singapore; and
(B) robust cooperation with regional allies; and
(4) the United States Government should commit to sending
appropriate levels of representation to regional events.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years,
the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce
and the Administrator, shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees regarding the diplomatic and
development presence of the United States in the Pacific
Islands.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include--
(A) a description of the presence, staffing,
programming, and resourcing of operations of the
Department of State, the United States Agency for
International Development, the United States
International Development Finance Corporation, the
Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the United States
Commercial Service in the Pacific Islands, including
programming and resourcing not specifically allocated
to the Pacific Islands;
(B) a description of the gaps in the presence
described under subparagraph (A), including unfilled
full-time equivalent positions;
(C) a description of the limitations and challenges
such gaps pose to United States strategic objectives,
including--
(i) gaps in support of the Pacific Islands
due to operations being conducted from the
United States Agency for International
Development offices in Manila and Suva; and
(ii) gaps in programming and resourcing;
and
(D) a strategy to expand and elevate such presence
to fill such gaps, including by--
(i) establishing new missions;
(ii) expanding participation in regional
forums; and
(iii) elevating United States
representation in regional forums.
(c) Authority To Enhance Diplomatic and Economic Engagement.--The
Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce are authorized to hire locally
employed staff in the Pacific Islands for the purpose of promoting
increased diplomatic engagement and economic and commercial engagement
between the United States and the Pacific Islands.
(d) Regional Development Cooperation Strategy.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5 years
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit a regional development
cooperation strategy for the Pacific Islands to the appropriate
congressional committees.
SEC. 102. INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY FOR THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary 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) Elements.--The plan required under subsection (a) shall--
(1) require consultation and coordination with existing
regional law enforcement entities, including the Pacific
Islands Chiefs of Police and civil society, including entities
that focus on human rights and specialize in victim-centered
approaches; and
(2) consider the costs of implementation, effectiveness,
and capacity of the Pacific Islands to participate in the ILEA
program.
(c) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall brief the appropriate
congressional committees regarding the plan developed pursuant to
subsection (a).
SEC. 103. SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Strategy.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, with the concurrence of the
Secretary of Defense, and in coordination with the Secretary of
Homeland Security, shall develop and implement a comprehensive
strategy for providing assistance to build the capacity of
local civilian and national security institutions of the
Pacific Islands for purposes of--
(A) enhancing maritime security and maritime domain
awareness to address challenges such as illegal,
unreported, and unregulated fishing;
(B) assisting local law enforcement in detecting,
preventing, and combating human and drug trafficking
and other forms of transnational crime;
(C) providing essential services to civilian
populations and responding to humanitarian challenges
caused by natural disasters;
(D) participating in efforts by regional
institutions and frameworks to coordinate and
facilitate cooperation on shared security challenges;
and
(E) expanding information sharing and working
toward operational coordination and interoperability
among Pacific Island maritime security forces,
including through regional fusion centers.
(2) Programs and authorities described.--The strategy
required under paragraph (1) shall build on the following
programs and authorities:
(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).
(F) The National Guard State Partnership Program.
(3) National police forces and coast guards.--The national
police forces and coast guards of the Pacific Islands are
eligible to receive assistance under the programs and
authorities described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) of
paragraph (2) for purposes of carrying out the strategy
required under this subsection.
(b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a) shall--
(1) seek to preserve peace and regional stability in the
Pacific Islands; and
(2) consider and seek to build upon (without duplicating)
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 a report
that contains the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (a)
to--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(F) the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an assessment of the security challenges in the
Pacific Islands;
(B) an analysis of demonstrated needs of the
Pacific Islands for assistance, including excess
defense, to fulfill such needs;
(C) a review of existing security assistance
programs in the Pacific Islands, including programs and
efforts provided by United States allies and partners;
(D) a plan for training and sustainment programs
with respect to such excess defense equipment and
related materials, including those with humanitarian
and development uses;
(E) a list of militaries, national police forces,
coast guards, and other national security forces 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;
(G) a review of existing cross-border maritime law
enforcement operations (commonly known as ``shiprider
agreements'') with the Pacific Islands, including--
(i) an assessment of additional resourcing
needs to enhance operational capacity; and
(ii) a plan to improve on such programs and
operations;
(H) a review of existing National Guard State
Partnership programs with the Pacific Islands,
including--
(i) an assessment of additional
opportunities for leveraging such programs to
address law enforcement, disaster relief and
emergency management, and related priorities;
and
(ii) a plan to expand, as appropriate,
existing and new National Guard State
Partnership Programs in the Pacific Islands
region;
(I) a review of current efforts and progress in
removing unexploded ordnance in the Pacific Islands,
including an assessment of additional resources
needed--
(i) to ensure continued progress with such
efforts; and
(ii) to support coordination with regional
efforts and those of United States allies and
partners;
(J) a review of existing regional fusion centers
and other cooperative intelligence sharing efforts in
the Pacific Islands to address maritime security,
transnational crime, natural disasters, and other
security challenges, including an assessment of
opportunities for the United States to participate in
such efforts by allocating staff and supplying
resources;
(K) measures to evaluate success for the strategy;
and
(L) a detailed assessment of the level of
appropriations that will be required to achieve the
objectives for the strategy in future years.
SEC. 104. COUNTERING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME.
(a) Ratification of International Legal Instruments.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall prioritize efforts to
assist the Pacific Islands in ratifying and implementing
international legal conventions related to transnational crime,
including--
(A) the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora, done at
Washington March 3, 1973 (27 UST 1087; TIAS 8429);
(B) the Agreement on Port State Measures to
Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing, done at Rome November 22, 2009,
and entered into force June 5, 2016; and
(C) relevant protocols supplementing the United
Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized
Crime, done at New York November 15, 2000, including--
(i) the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and
Punish Trafficking in Person, Especially Women
and Children (commonly known as the ``Palermo
Protocol''), entered into force December 25,
2003; and
(ii) the Protocol Against the Smuggling of
Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air, entered into
force January 28, 2004.
(2) Biennial report.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years
thereafter, as appropriate, the Secretary shall submit a report
to the appropriate congressional committees regarding--
(A) the status of the progress of each country of
the Pacific Islands toward ratifying and implementing
international legal conventions related to
transnational crime; and
(B) the plans of the United States for assisting
countries that have yet to fully ratify such
conventions with their respective ratification efforts.
(b) Updates of Certain Reports.--The Secretary, in coordination
with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, shall identify and update
existing reports regarding forms of transnational crime affecting the
Pacific Islands, such as--
(1) the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report;
(2) the Improving International Fisheries Management
Report; and
(3) the Trafficking in Persons Report.
(c) Illegal Logging and Associated Trade.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary, in coordination with the heads of relevant Federal
agencies, shall submit a report that identifies countries of
the Pacific Islands that are countries of concern with respect
to illegal logging and associated trade to--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include a description of--
(A) the impact illegal logging and associated trade
have had on local communities, good governance, and
biodiversity, including an identification of those
foreign countries that may be financing or in any other
manner supporting illegal logging activities;
(B) efforts taken by countries identified under
paragraph (1) to comply and take appropriate corrective
action to mitigate illegal logging, and an evaluation
of the progress of those efforts; and
(C) steps taken by the heads of relevant Federal
agencies to assist the Pacific Islands in adopting and
implementing international measures comparable to those
of the United States, such as the Lacey Act Amendments
of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.), to reduce the impacts
of illicit logging.
(d) Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing.--Section 3553 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (16 U.S.C.
8033) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (9); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) an assessment of gaps or limitations in the ability
of the United States to effectively assist priority regions and
priority flag States relating to IUU fishing due to resource
constraints and the additional resources necessary to overcome
those constraints; and''.
SEC. 105. COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL ALLIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall consult and coordinate with
regional allies and partners, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand,
Taiwan, and regional institutions, such as the Pacific Islands Forum
and the Pacific Community, with respect to programs to provide
assistance to the Pacific Islands, including programs established under
this Act, including for purposes of--
(1) deconflicting programming;
(2) ensuring that any programming does not adversely affect
the absorptive capacity of the Pacific Islands; and
(3) ensuring that complementary programs benefit the
Pacific Islands to the maximum extent practicable.
(b) Formal Consultative Process.--The Secretary shall establish a
formal consultative process with such regional allies and partners to
coordinate with respect to such programs and future years programming.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees that
includes--
(1) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, and programs
undertaken by regional allies and partners, including
multilateral organizations, to advance priorities identified in
this Act;
(2) a review of ongoing efforts, initiatives, and programs
undertaken by non-allied foreign actors that are viewed as
being potentially harmful or in any way detrimental to 1 or
more countries of the Pacific Islands;
(3) an assessment of United States programs in the Pacific
Islands and their alignment and complementarity with the
efforts of regional allies and partners referred to in
paragraph (1); and
(4) a review of the formal consultative process required
under subsection (b) to summarize engagements held and identify
opportunities to improve coordination with regional allies and
partners.
TITLE II--DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
SEC. 201. 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 socioeconomic development and mutual prosperity.
(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.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the United
States Trade Representative shall submit a report containing
the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b) to--
(A) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an assessment of the readiness of countries in
the Pacific Islands to enter into enhanced trade
relationships with the United States, including with
respect to reducing or eliminating tariff and nontariff
barriers inhibiting progress towards deepening trade
relationships;
(B) a review of existing regional multilateral and
bilateral trade agreements and preference programs
involving the Pacific Islands and their impacts on
regional trade and development; and
(C) an identification of opportunities to work with
existing regional frameworks to increase trade and
economic integration with the Pacific Islands.
(d) Briefing Required on Pacific Islands Trade Preferences.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the United States Trade
Representative shall provide a briefing to the congressional
committees referred to in subsection (c)(1) regarding the use
of the Generalized System of Preferences under title V of the
Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.) by the Pacific
Islands.
(2) Matters to be included.--The briefing required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) a review of the usage of the Generalized System
of Preferences by the Pacific Islands over the past 20
years, including the value and types of goods traded
under the program;
(B) an analysis of United States trade with the
Pacific Islands covered under the Generalized System of
Preferences compared to trade with the Pacific Islands
not conducted under any trade preference program;
(C) an assessment of why the Pacific Islands
underutilizes the Generalized System of Preferences in
trade with the United States; and
(D) recommendations for how the United States
Government can further assist the Pacific Islands in
utilizing the Generalized System of Preferences.
(3) Update.--The Trade Representative shall provide to the
appropriate congressional committees an updated briefing under
this subsection not later than 3 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 202. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with the
Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce,
and the Chief Executive Officer of the United States International
Development Finance Corporation, shall develop and implement a trade
capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands.
(b) Elements and Conduct of Initiative.--The initiative developed
pursuant to subsection (a) shall--
(1) include an initial, public 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 intraregional trade flows;
(4) support women-owned enterprises and gender equality;
and
(5) promote government policies that encourage free and
fair competition, sound governance, environmental protection,
and business environments conducive to sustainable and
inclusive economic growth.
(c) United States Commercial Service Presence.--The Secretary of
Commerce shall expand the presence of the United States Commercial
Service in the Pacific Islands and allocate additional Foreign
Commercial Service Officers to the Pacific Islands, including by
elevating existing partner posts and establishing new Commercial
Service posts and partner posts--
(1) to explore opportunities for United States private
sector investment;
(2)(A) to examine regulations in host countries in the
Pacific Islands that may hinder foreign direct investment,
including regulations related to human rights, labor rights,
and environmental protection; and
(B) to provide technical assistance when requested by such
host countries; and
(3) to report on the commercial and investment activities
of non-allied foreign actors in the Pacific Islands.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 203. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall develop and implement an
initiative to assist the Pacific Islands in enhancing their
preparedness for, and resilience to, natural disasters and other
emergencies.
(b) Conduct of Program.--The program developed under this section
shall include--
(1) education and training programs on natural disaster
prevention and preparedness for emergency management
professionals in the Pacific Islands, including by leveraging
the expertise of nonprofit organizations and institutions of
higher education in the United States;
(2) technical assistance, including through grants and
cooperative agreements for qualified United States and local
nongovernmental organizations, to enhance early warning
systems, emergency management and preparedness procedures, and
post-disaster relief and recovery; and
(3) coordination of existing disaster mitigation and
response plans in the Pacific Islands region, including by
United States allies and partners in the region.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a
report regarding the program developed pursuant to this section
to--
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House
of Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an assessment of disaster risks in the Pacific
Islands and existing local and regional capacity to
respond to such risks;
(B) a review of 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 initiative.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 204. 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 by reopening its programs in as many of the
Pacific Islands as possible, including where it has previously
operated but has suspended operations;
(2) consulting like-minded regional allies and partners,
such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan, is crucial
for identifying and overcoming challenges for increased Peace
Corps presence in the Pacific Islands;
(3) the Peace Corps, whose mission is, in part, to promote
world peace and friendship by helping the people of interested
countries in meeting their need for trained men and women,
provides an invaluable opportunity to connect the American
people with the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau;
and
(4) the Peace Corps should promptly reopen its programs in
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of
Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees that includes--
(1) a comparative analysis of the presence of the Peace
Corps in the Pacific Islands region to other regions of the
world, including a cost-benefit analysis of placement in the
Pacific Islands region versus elsewhere;
(2) an analysis of current impediments to Peace Corps
expansion in the Pacific Islands region;
(3) outcomes of consultations among United States agencies,
and with regional allies and partners, on areas in which
cooperation can reduce factors limiting Peace Corps expansion,
particularly those related to medical transportation and
personal safety; and
(4) a plan and timeline for implementing outcomes
identified under paragraph (3) to facilitate the expansion of
the Peace Corps presence in the Pacific Islands region, as
appropriate.
SEC. 205. PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with the
Secretary, shall develop and implement a strategy to assist the Pacific
Islands--
(1) to improve public health outcomes; and
(2) to build public health capacity, including in response
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed pursuant to
subsection (a) shall include--
(1) programming, including grants, cooperative agreements,
and other forms of assistance that the Administrator determines
appropriate, to assist in building local capacity to address--
(A) maternal and child health;
(B) family planning and reproductive health;
(C) gender-based violence;
(D) food security and nutrition;
(E) non-communicable diseases;
(F) communicable diseases, including neglected
tropical diseases, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually-
transmitted infections, and zoonotic and emerging
infectious disease threats;
(G) equitable access to quality, essential, and
affordable health services and quality-assured, safe,
effective medical products and their appropriate use;
and
(H) water, sanitation, and hygiene;
(2) technical assistance to strengthen local health system
capacity and resilience in the areas of--
(A) good leadership and governance;
(B) sustainable financing;
(C) interoperable information systems and high
quality data for decision making;
(D) efficient medical products and supply chain
systems; and
(E) management of human resources for health, with
special attention to increasing health worker
performance, retention, productivity, number, skill
mix, and competency, including through exploring
opportunities such as private sector engagement and
digital health integration and access; and
(3) coordination with existing local and regional health
sector goals, efforts, 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 a
report to the congressional committees referred to in section
203(c)(1) that contains the strategy developed pursuant to
subsection (a).
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall identify--
(A) health care challenges, including health
systems strengthening, immunization, noncommunicable
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 $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 206. EDUCATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1)(A) promoting basic education in the Pacific Islands,
particularly in traditionally under-served communities--
(i) advances United States foreign policy goals;
and
(ii) requires a whole of government approach; and
(B) the United States Government currently dedicates
insufficient resources and attention to assisting with
education needs in the region;
(2) the Peace Corps alone is insufficient to achieve United
States objectives of promoting sustainable, quality basic
education; and
(3) countries of the Pacific Islands meet the requirements
outlined in section 105(c)(4) of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151c).
(b) Education Assistance.--The President is authorized to provide
assistance under section 105 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2151c) to promote sustainable, quality basic education in the
Pacific Islands by--
(1) supporting national nutrition and health programs;
(2) working with partner governments to reform policies,
improve curricula, strengthen data systems, train teachers, and
provide quality learning materials;
(3) building new schools and renovating older facilities to
ensure safe places for learning;
(4) providing individuals, particularly at-risk youth, with
relevant education, training, and skills for meaningful
employment;
(5) removing barriers to entering formal education for out-
of-school individuals, assisting in keeping them in school, and
providing an opportunity to catch up on schooling for those
left behind; and
(6) promoting teaching and research exchanges between the
Pacific Islands and United States institutions of higher
education.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 207. CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States Government should leverage the full
range of authorities and programs available to assist the
Pacific Islands in achieving their development goals;
(2) United States development assistance should seek to
build on existing public and private sector investments while
creating new opportunities toward a favorable environment for
additional such investments; and
(3) United States development efforts should be coordinated
with and seek to build on existing efforts by like-minded
partners and allies and regional and international multilateral
organizations.
(b) Strategy.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Administrator, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chief Executive
Officer of the United States International Development Finance
Corporation, shall develop and implement a strategy--
(1) to invest in and improve critical infrastructure,
including transport connectivity, information and
communications technology, food security, coastal zone
management, marine and water resource management, and energy
security and access to electricity in the Pacific Islands, with
an emphasis on climate resiliency and sustainable development;
(2) to provide technical assistance to assist local
government and civil society leaders assess risks to local
infrastructure, especially those posed by climate change,
consider and implement risk mitigation efforts and policies to
strengthen resilience, and evaluate proposed projects and
solutions for their efficacy and sustainability; and
(3) to support investment and improvement in ecosystem
conservation and protection for the long-term sustainable use
of ecosystem services, especially those that mitigate effects
of climate change and those that support food security and
livelihoods.
(c) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section
shall be coordinated with like-minded partners and allies, regional and
international multilateral organizations, and regional frameworks for
development in the Pacific Islands.
(d) 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.
(e) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
shall submit a report to the congressional committees referred
to in section 203(c)(1) regarding foreign infrastructure
developments in the Pacific Islands.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) a review of foreign infrastructure developments
in the Pacific Islands by non-United States allies and
partners;
(B) assessments of the environmental impact and
sustainability of such developments; and
(C) an analysis of the financial sustainability of
such developments and their impacts on the debt of host
countries in the Pacific Islands.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 208. COORDINATION WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND COOPERATION AND
PARTICIPATION OF NONGOVERNMENTAL UNITED STATES ENTITIES.
The Federal officials responsible for carrying out sections 202,
203, 205, 206, and 207 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. PRESS FREEDOM IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that residents of the Pacific Islands
speak 24 official languages and thousands of indigenous or unofficial
local languages.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States should work with allies and partners,
particularly Australia and New Zealand, to provide free or low-
cost access to national news wires so the Pacific Islands have
greater access to raw news feeds; and
(2) it is in the interest of the United States to work with
the Pacific Islands to develop regulations to address the
licensing and operations of foreign media to build resilience
in the media sector to unsanctioned external influence or
interference, while respecting free expression and cultivating
diverse media voices.
(c) Press Freedom Assistance.--The President is authorized to
provide assistance to promote the dissemination of free and accurate
information in the Pacific Islands, including for--
(1) media capacity building and education, such as--
(A) providing on-site media training tailored to
local needs;
(B) collaborating with local government and
nongovernmental entities to promote media literacy and
integrate media literacy into primary education
curricula in local languages and dialects to ensure
accessibility; and
(C) routinizing funding for professional programs,
such as the Pacific Islands Journalism Reporting Tour,
that bring media professionals from the Pacific Islands
to the United States;
(2) strengthening and diversifying broadcast content
tailored to local audiences, including content broadcast in the
local vernacular; and
(3) investing in connectivity infrastructure with an
emphasis on broadcast radio and transmission.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report
to the appropriate congressional committees regarding the
implementation of this section.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an assessment of--
(i) the national laws of the Pacific
Islands with respect to foreign investment in
media and related sectors;
(ii) relevant licensing regulations of the
Pacific Islands; and
(iii) governmental restrictions on free
expression that limit the availability of
diverse media voices in the Pacific Islands;
and
(B) analyses of covert efforts by foreign media
actors in the Pacific Islands--
(i) to influence, shape, or circumvent
regulations in the media or telecommunication
sectors; and
(ii) to co-opt local media and narratives.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 302. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA.
(a) In General.--The Chief Executive Officer of the United States
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) Briefing Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer shall
provide a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees
regarding the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a).
(2) Matters to be included.--The briefing required under
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 $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 303. GENDER EQUALITY.
(a) Statement of Policy.--Congress--
(1) affirms the importance of gender equality and women's
empowerment to United States policy in the Pacific Islands; and
(2) recognizes the work of the existing regional frameworks
and platforms on gender equality.
(b) In General.--The Secretary and the Administrator 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 and 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) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that routinized
people-to-people exchange programs to bring Pacific Islands religious
leaders, journalists, civil society members, politicians, and others to
the United States strengthens existing relationships and advances
United States interests and shared values in the region.
(b) In General.--The Secretary 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.
(c) Conduct of Program.--The program developed pursuant to
subsection (b) shall be implemented on a routine basis and 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.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural
Affairs, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees regarding the exchange programs for the Pacific
Islands region.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) assess the factors constraining the number and
frequency of International Visitor Leadership Program
participants from countries of the Pacific Islands;
(B) identify the resources that are necessary to
address the factors described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) include a strategy for connecting alumni and
participants of the Department of State's professional
development exchange programs in East Asia, such as the
Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative and the Young
Pacific Leaders programs, to enhance inter-region and
intra-region people-to-people ties.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
SEC. 305. CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Administrator 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 pursuant to
subsection (a) 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 pursuant to subsection
(a) may be carried out through--
(A) technical assistance and support, including
through training and professional and academic
fellowships;
(B) grants provided on a competitive basis to
qualified civil society organizations for the purpose
of carrying out projects and programs dedicated to the
objectives described 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 shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding
the program developed pursuant to subsection (a).
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) assess 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) identify the objectives and measures of success
for the program.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2023 through 2027
to carry out this section.
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