Results for

Southeast Asia Strategy Act This bill directs the Department of State to submit to Congress a strategy for engagement with Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The strategy shall include various elements including (1) an identification of enduring U.S. interests in the region and efforts to bolster ASEAN's effectiveness; (2) a list of ongoing and planned initiatives to strengthen U.S. relationships in the region, including efforts to promote inclusive economic growth and to combat climate change; and (3) a summary of ongoing efforts to promote human rights and democracy and strengthen the rule of law.

This resolution expresses support for granting asylum to Pakistan citizen Aasiya Noreen, internationally known as Asia Bibi, and her immediate family, due to religious persecution. It also recognizes the importance of granting asylum to those individuals with legitimate claims of persecution for their religion, race, nationality, membership in a social group, or political belief.

This resolution expresses support for the bilateral relationship between the United States and Uzbekistan. The resolution commends Uzbekistan's political and economic reforms, as well as its efforts to promote stability in Central Asia.

This resolution celebrates the U.S. partnership with young leaders in Southeast Asia and recognizes the importance of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative in advancing U.S. soft power and promoting human rights, democracy, and good governance in the region.

Russia Bounty Response Act of 2020 This bill requires various actions in response to the influence of Russia's government in South and Central Asia and contains other related provisions. The Department of State shall report to Congress a strategy for using U.S. diplomacy to counter such Russian influence. The bill imposes sanctions on various individuals and entities, including (1) Russian President Vladimir Putin or any person acting on his behalf, (2) any senior Russian government official involved in a program to provide bounties for killing members of the U.S. Armed Forces or certain North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in Afghanistan, and (3) individuals and entities that facilitate illicit or corrupt activities on behalf of Putin or other specified persons. The bill imposes civil and criminal penalties related to violations of such sanctions. The bill also authorizes various activities, including (1) rewards for information about Russian bounties against U.S. Armed Forces anywhere in the world, and (2) State Department activities to counter Russian influence in South and Central Asia. The State Department shall seek to establish a working group involving officials from the government of Afghanistan to address threats to Afghanistan's security posed by Russia's government. The State Department must also create a Deputy Assistant Secretary position tasked with coordinating efforts to counter Russian influence in South and Central Asia. The President shall also appoint a special envoy tasked with countering Russian influence in the region.

This resolution calls upon the governments of Bangladesh and Pakistan to stop Jamaat-e-Islami (an Islamist political party) from threatening regional stability and urges U.S. agencies to end partnerships with groups affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami . Additionally, this resolution presses law enforcement to investigate the reported collaboration between the Hand for Relief and Development (a charitable organization) and a Pakistani terrorist organization.

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement the Pacific Deterrence Initiative. The initiative shall only take actions to (1) increase the lethality of the joint force in the Indo-Pacific region; (2) enhance the defense and posture of the joint force; (3) strengthen alliances and partnerships; and (4) carry out a program of exercises, experimentation, and innovation for the joint force. DOD shall report a plan to Congress to expend in FY2021 and FY2022 certain minimum amounts to implement the initiative. The bill also repeals authorization for DOD to carry out an earlier program known as the Indo-Pacific Stability Initiative.

Air America Act of 2020 This bill establishes the service of Air America employees as qualifying service for purposes of the Civil Service Retirement System. (Air America was a government-owned airline that provided air transport for certain covert operations in Southeast Asia, including Laos and Vietnam, between 1950 and 1976.) The bill applies to U.S. citizens who were employees of Air America or another affiliated company, as specified, between January 1, 1950 and December 31, 1976. Benefit applications must be filed within two years of the date of enactment of this bill.

Air America Act of 2020 This bill establishes the service of Air America employees as qualifying service for purposes of the Civil Service Retirement System. (Air America was a government-owned airline that provided air transport for certain covert operations in Southeast Asia, including Laos and Vietnam, between 1950 and 1976.) The bill applies to U.S. citizens who were employees of Air America or another affiliated company, as specified, between January 1, 1950 and December 31, 1976. Benefit applications must be filed within two years of the date of enactment of this bill.

This resolution * reaffirms support for elevated collaboration between the United States and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly in terms of economic cooperation and human rights; * encourages cooperation between the United States and the nations of ASEAN as they respond to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) and future public health challenges; * urges ASEAN to foster multilateral relations with non-ASEAN partners; * expresses support for ASEAN nations in addressing maritime and territorial disputes, as well as corruption in the public and private sectors; * calls on ASEAN nations to ensure human rights, a protected marine environment, and safe access to international waterways in the Indo-Pacific; * applauds ASEAN nations that have upheld international agreements with respect to North Korea's missile programs; and * expresses support for the Lower Mekong Initiative, a partnership between the United States, Cambodia, Laos, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, and Vietnam to promote sustainability and economic development in the region.

This resolution (1) expresses support for ongoing cooperation between the United States and Vietnam, (2) recognizes Vietnam's increased role in certain multilateral institutions, and (3) reiterates the importance of promoting human rights and democracy in Vietnam and throughout the Indo-Pacific.