Bipartisan embassies bill offered by Blackburn, Young signed into law as part of NDAA

Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Todd Young (R-IN) aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through increased American diplomacy in the Pacific region recently became law as part of a larger bill. 

“As Communist China sets its sights on the Indo-Pacific, it is vitally important the United States strengthen our strategic partnerships and counter the CCP’s growing influence in the region,” Sen. Blackburn said on Dec. 29, 2022. 

The Pacific Islands Embassies Act, S. 4648, which she and Sen. Young cosponsored in July 2022 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), was included as an amendment to the larger Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R. 7776, which President Joe Biden signed into law on Dec. 23, 2022.

“The Indo-Pacific is a region of active competition with China, and our Pacific Island partners are especially vulnerable to Chinese coercion,” Sen. Young said. “This legislation will strengthen our diplomatic presence in the region and signal our resolve to our partners and allies.”

The legislation establishes physical U.S. embassies on the Pacific Island nations of the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Tonga, and authorizes expanded physical presence on Vanuatu to reinforce American leadership in the Pacific region, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“This measure to establish additional U.S. diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands is a key component to deepening our shared values of freedom and democracy and ensuring the continued security of the U.S. and our partners,” said Sen. Blackburn.

U.S. Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Ed Case (D-HI) in August 2022 introduced H.R.  8683, the identical bill to S. 4648, in their chamber. 

“Expanding America’s diplomatic footprint in Asia is a simple but powerful way we can reaffirm our longstanding bilateral partnerships in the Pacific,” Rep. Barr said. “Strengthening our relationships in the Pacific will help counter the CCP’s predatory Belt and Road Initiative and show that the U.S. remains a partner of choice. 

“I thank all of my colleagues who supported this legislation,” he added.