A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) would advance America’s diplomatic presence in the Indo-Pacific region and help counter China’s growing coercion in the area.
“To confront China’s encroachment in the Pacific, we need to be diplomatically present,” Sen. Young said on Aug. 1. “Our bill will help establish this vital American voice with key Pacific Island nations, demonstrating our commitment to allies and our leadership in the Indo-Pacific.”
On July 27, Sen. Young cosponsored the Pacific Islands Embassies Act, S. 4648, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and three fellow original cosponsors, including U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
If enacted, the bill would open U.S. embassies in the Republic of Vanuatu, the Republic of Kiribati, and the Kingdom of Tonga which would help reassert the U.S. as a diplomatic leader in the region, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“Strong U.S. diplomacy in the Pacific is essential. We must immediately establish a robust physical diplomatic presence in these strategic island nations,” said Sen. Ossoff. “Frankly, it is malpractice that the United States didn’t take this step a decade and a half ago. Time is of the essence.”
S. 4648 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.