A bipartisan bill offered by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) would bolster the engagement of the United States with the Pacific Islands region in an effort to thwart China’s aggression in the area.
The Pacific Partnership Act, S. 4148, which Sen. Ernst cosponsored on April 17 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), aims to combat China’s increasing aggression by helping the U.S. establish a comprehensive strategy to support diplomatic, security, and economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“In the face of Chinese aggression throughout the Indo-Pacific, our partners in the region are our first line of defense,” Sen. Ernst said on Monday. “We cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party [CCP] to gain any foothold.
“By strengthening coordination with the Pacific Islands through this bipartisan legislation,” she added, “we can counter the CCP’s malign influence and counter their actions to protect our own security.”
The U.S. has a long-standing relationship with the Pacific Islands, which plays a crucial role in U.S. national security.
If enacted, S. 4148 would strengthen such ties by creating the Strategy for Pacific Partnership, which would outline U.S. involvement in the Pacific Islands and highlight combined efforts to combat regional challenges, the summary says.
“Supporting our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific is critical to our long-term national security,” Sen. Cortez Masto said. “This legislation will help foster stability, security, and economic growth in the Pacific Islands, while encouraging better coordination on efforts to combat the Chinese government’s aggression in the region.”
The measure has been referred to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration.