[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 357 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 357

Recognizing the formation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy 
  and urging the United States to pursue deeper ties with its member 
                               countries.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 21, 2023

Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Risch, and 
Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the formation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy 
  and urging the United States to pursue deeper ties with its member 
                               countries.

Whereas, on September 22, 2021, Presidents Luis Abinader of the Dominican 
        Republic, Laurentino Cortizo of the Republic of Panama, and Carlos 
        Alvarado of the Republic of Costa Rica met in New York during the 
        opening of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly to 
        form the Alliance for Development in Democracy (referred to in this 
        preamble as the ``ADD'');
Whereas the member countries of the ADD have committed to work through the ADD 
        to advance institutions that protect the rule of law and individual 
        freedoms;
Whereas the ADD promotes regional integration by strengthening cultural, 
        commercial, and demographic ties in the context of free, peaceful, and 
        democratic societies;
Whereas the Department of Defense and the Department of State have repeatedly 
        emphasized that the economic encroachment of the Government of the 
        People's Republic of China into the Western Hemisphere is coercive and 
        represents an acute threat to the national security of the United States 
        and of allies of the United States in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas, during the years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution, 
        United States trade has doubled with the Republic of Costa Rica and the 
        Republic of Panama, and tripled with the Dominican Republic;
Whereas, combined, the three founding members of the ADD represent the third-
        largest trading partner of the United States in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas, on December 10, 2021, the ADD formed a business council to promote the 
        development of trade, investment, and commerce between the ADD and the 
        United States;
Whereas, on June 10, 2022, Canada, a critical ally and strategic partner of the 
        United States, and the members of the ADD issued a joint statement 
        committing to working together to address democratic challenges and to 
        prevent the erosion of democracy in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas, on June 16, 2022, the Republic of Ecuador formally joined the ADD as 
        the fourth member of the ADD;
Whereas, on July 25, 2022, the United States and the founding members of the ADD 
        signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the Consultative 
        Dialogue on Supply Chains and Economic Growth between the United States 
        and the ADD to strengthen supply chain resiliency; and
Whereas the ADD has sought to comprehensively address the migratory flows that 
        transit though territories within the jurisdiction of the member 
        countries of the ADD: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) congratulates the Dominican Republic, the Republic of 
        Panama, and the Republic of Costa Rica for forming the Alliance 
        for Development in Democracy (referred to in this resolution as 
        the ``ADD''), and the Republic of Ecuador for ascending to the 
        ADD;
            (2) affirms that the ADD provides a counterweight to the 
        growing influence of autocratic and anti-United States forces 
        in the Western Hemisphere;
            (3) calls on the President to--
                    (A) pursue and prioritize engagement with the ADD 
                regarding the full spectrum of the national security 
                and economic interests of the United States in the 
                Western Hemisphere; and
                    (B) deepen regional integration on economic issues 
                including increasing trade, expanding market access, 
                and integrating investment markets throughout the 
                Western Hemisphere, including by pursuing nearshoring, 
                reshoring, and friendshoring initiatives; and
            (4) calls on the President to use the diplomatic capital of 
        the United States, including the voice and vote of the United 
        States in international organizations, to support member 
        countries of the ADD in promoting policies that--
                    (A) enhance the regional integration specified in 
                paragraph (3)(B) by strengthening democratic 
                institutions and promoting economic prosperity;
                    (B) strengthen the critical infrastructure of those 
                countries, such as ports, airports, and other 
                logistical assets to facilitate regional trade;
                    (C) manage migrant flows across the Western 
                Hemisphere and within the jurisdiction of those 
                countries;
                    (D) counter corruption, organized crime, and 
                illegal drug trafficking across the Western Hemisphere 
                and within the jurisdiction of those countries; and
                    (E) strengthen the resiliency of supply chains 
                critical to foreign investment and trade with those 
                countries.
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