[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H10068-H10070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REAFFIRMING THE STRONG COMMITMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE COUNTRIES
AND TERRITORIES OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1157) reaffirming the strong
commitment of the United States to the countries and territories of the
Pacific Islands region.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows
H. Res. 1157
Whereas the Pacific Islands countries and territories are
home to more than 10 million culturally diverse people and
are rooted in a unique culture and history spanning thousands
of years;
Whereas the South Pacific region, of which the Pacific
Islands countries and territories are an integral part, is
endowed with a resource-rich ocean stretching over 20 million
square miles;
Whereas the United States partnership with the countries of
the Pacific Islands region dates back to the battles of World
War II on the shores of Tarawa, Pelelieu, and Guadalcanal,
where Pacific Islanders and Americans alike sacrificed for
our collective security;
Whereas the United States territories of American Samoa,
Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
are located in the South Pacific region and some of these
relationships date back to the Spanish-American War;
Whereas the United States is committed to the future
security and prosperity of the Pacific Islands countries and
territories and is responsible for security and defense
matters in and relating to Palau, the Federated States of
Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands under
their respective Compacts of Free Association;
Whereas the Compacts of Free Association arrangements with
the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the
Marshall Islands were renewed in 2003 for a period of 20
years and negotiations regarding the subsequent renewal of
these agreements should be concluded in advance of their
expiration in 2023;
Whereas the South Pacific region is critical to United
States national security and defense, and there are several
United States military bases and testing sites in the region,
including the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test
Site on the Marshall Islands;
Whereas the United States cooperates closely with Pacific
Islands countries and territories as a partner committed to a
common future that advances national security, regional
cooperation, and trust and collaborating on a wide range of
important issues such as addressing environmental and public
health threats, distributing humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief, and promoting peace and prosperity in the
region;
Whereas in the Boe Declaration of 2018, leaders of Pacific
Islands countries and territories reaffirmed that the threat
of climate change imperils the livelihoods, security, and
well-being of the peoples of such countries and territories;
Whereas a major priority of Pacific Islands countries and
territories is addressing environmental and sustainability
challenges, including responding to national disasters, and
implementing environmental programs to address mitigating
their unique vulnerabilities to the effects of rising sea
levels, combatting ocean acidification, and protecting
natural resources, and extreme weather events remains a
priority for and point of collaboration between the United
States and Pacific Islands countries;
Whereas the United States works closely with Australia and
New Zealand and other like-minded partners in the South
Pacific region, and there is opportunity for enhancing such
cooperation as all three countries look for opportunities to
increase their focus on this important region;
Whereas China's increased influence in the South Pacific
region and the possibility of a future Chinese military
presence in this region could expand its monitoring and
surveillance capabilities, threatening the United States
military presence in the region;
Whereas media reports revealed that Chinese scientists
placed acoustic sensors in the Mariana Trench near Guam and
near the island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia,
which could be used to monitor United States submarine
activity in the region;
Whereas planned casino resort developments by Chinese
investors on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
could complicate Department of Defense plans on the islands
for extensive training and exercises resulting from the
relocation of Marines from Okinawa, Japan;
Whereas a bilateral agreement between the United States and
Japan will relocate approximately 4,100 United States Marines
from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, significantly bolstering United
States national security in the region;
Whereas official Chinese Government statements and policy
documents indicate that the Pacific Islands are a component
of the Belt and Road Initiative, which according to the
Department of Defense aims ``to develop strong economic ties
with other countries, shape their interests to align with
China's, and deter confrontation or criticism of China's
approach to sensitive issues'';
Whereas the Lowy Institute found that China has pledged
$5.88 billion worth of aid to the region since 2011, yet
despite these large commitments, China has only spent $1.26
billion so far and concerns remain over the types of loans
extended and whether the commitments will be kept;
Whereas recent debt sustainability analysis by the World
Bank shows that nine Pacific Islands countries and
territories are currently classified as either at high or
moderate risk of debt distress;
Whereas China continues to shrink the number of Taiwan's
international partners around the globe by inducing countries
to switch recognition through financial incentives and six of
Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies in the Pacific Islands
region advocate on Taiwan's behalf at the United Nations and
other international fora;
Whereas the United States plays an active role in regional
fisheries management through its involvement in the Western
and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and in maintaining
programs to help Pacific Island countries combat illegal
fishing, including bilateral ``shiprider'' agreements that
allow law enforcement officers of host partner countries
onboard United States Coast Guard ships and aircraft to
patrol national exclusive economic zones;
Whereas the United States, through more than 17 departments
and agencies, committed more than $350 million in fiscal year
2017 to engagement with Pacific Islands countries;
Whereas the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
Year 2018 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018
authorized and appropriated $123.8 million in funding through
2024 for the 2010 Palau Compact Review Agreement;
Whereas every two years, the United States Navy's Pacific
Fleet hosts the world's largest international maritime
exercise, known as the ``Rim of the Pacific'', for which this
past year Tongan Marines traveled to Hawaii with Australia's
Navy to participate and Fiji has been invited to join the
exercise in 2020; and
Whereas in September 2018 at the 30th Pacific Islands Forum
in Nauru, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke stated the
United States ``see[s] all of the Pacific Islands as an
essential part of our free and open Indo-Pacific policy'':
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) reaffirms its strong commitment to United States
engagement with all countries and territories of the South
Pacific region, including the Cook Islands, the Federated
States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati,
Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, the Republic of Palau, Papua New
Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, the
Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu;
(2) reaffirms its strong support to the United States
Pacific Island territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, home to nearly
300,000 United States citizens;
(3) supports continued efforts to deepen cooperation with
countries and territories of the Pacific Islands in areas of
mutual interest, such as addressing the negative impacts of
climate change, promoting sustainable economic development,
and supporting regional organizations and stability;
(4) calls for the United States to increase the frequency
of high-level bilateral and multilateral visits with leaders
of Pacific Islands;
(5) promotes and supports efforts by Australia, New
Zealand, France, and other like-minded partners to strengthen
Pacific Islands countries' sovereignty and development
through economic and security assistance; and
(6) encourages continued support for the Compacts of Free
Association which enhance the strategic posture of the United
States in the Western Pacific, reinforce United States
regional commitment, preempt potential adversaries from
establishing positional advantage, and further self-
governance, economic development, and self-sufficiency of the
Freely Associated States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
[[Page H10069]]
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include any extraneous material in the record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Representative Bordallo for
introducing this measure on an important but often overlooked part of
the world, and that is the South Pacific.
Mr. Speaker, the Pacific Islands are an essential part of the South
Pacific region. Today we express our commitment to these countries' and
territories' security and to their prosperity.
Our country has a long history with the Pacific Islands and
territories. Today we have 300,000 United States citizens that reside
in the territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands and in American Samoa.
The U.S. is engaged in this important region through a variety of
programs which promote national security and also regional cooperation.
They address conservation and public health threats. They distribute
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and they promote peace and
prosperity.
The United States has supported these endeavors under the Compacts of
Free Association with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and
the Republic of the Marshall Islands. These important arrangements have
allowed the U.S. to project a presence in the region for 30 years, but
these compacts expire in 2023.
The United States must continue to reassure the Pacific Island
countries of our enduring commitment to having a continuing presence in
the region and negotiate compact renewals before they expire.
Our relationship with this region is unfolding against the backdrop
of a shifting strategic environment where Beijing and others seek to
wield a greater influence in the South Pacific.
For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this
measure which reaffirms the importance of continuing to engage and
cooperate with the Pacific Island countries and territories.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure.
First of all, I want to acknowledge the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms.
Bordallo), my colleague, for her longstanding advocacy of American
engagement in the Pacific region. I thank her for introducing this
resolution.
This measure supports cooperation with the Pacific Islands in the
areas where we both have critical interests, including support for
regional organizations and promotion of sustainable economic
development.
The resolution rightly focuses on a critical threat facing the
Pacific Islands and the United States, which is climate change.
In September of this year, Pacific Island leaders reaffirmed in a
joint declaration that ``climate change remains the single greatest
threat to the livelihoods, security, and well-being of the peoples of
the Pacific.''
I wish that the President and the administration would act on that
threat, but, instead, the United States refuses to acknowledge climate
change at recent international conferences. The refusal to acknowledge
established scientific fact is really wrong and dangerous.
Our country has a critical role to play in the effort to address
climate change, and when we abdicate that responsibility, we endanger
future generations and the regions most at risk, like the Pacific
Islands.
So this is a good resolution, affirming America's commitment to
advance self-government, economic development, and self-sufficiency for
all the people of this strategically important region.
It is important to note that this resolution expresses our continued
support for our compact agreements with the Freely Associated States.
The Pacific Islands remain a region critical to our interests and the
interests of our partners, including Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
It makes sense that we would continue to support investments that
enhance our partnership with the Pacific Islands.
I support this measure, and I urge all Members to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Sherman).
Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, as ranking member of the Asia and the
Pacific Subcommittee, I rise to support H. Res. 1157, which reaffirms
the strong commitment of the United States to the countries and
territories of the Pacific Islands region. I want to applaud
Representative Bordallo for introducing this, and I am proud to join
with others as a cosponsor.
First, this resolution sends an important message to the 300,000
Americans who call the region home. Our fellow Americans in Guam, the
Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, for them, this measure
recognizes that they are a critical part of our Nation's fabric.
Indeed, when North Korea threatened to launch missiles at a U.S.
territory, it said that it would hit Guam. We cannot forget about these
Pacific territories and, in Congress, we have an obligation to make
sure that their voices are heard in these Halls.
This resolution also specifically encourages continued support for
the Compacts of Free Association which we currently have with the
Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
and Palau. Currently, the United States provides, under these compacts,
essential governmental functions, including defense.
While our compact with Palau was recently renewed, the Compacts of
Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia and the
Marshall Islands will expire in 2023. We in Congress should not wait.
We should ensure that the compacts are expeditiously renewed. These
arrangements not only help encourage the development of Palau,
Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands, but also serve our core national
security interests.
I know firsthand that we cannot take our Pacific partnerships for
granted--not just in the compact states, but across the region, because
other states around the region are facing entreaties from the Chinese
Government.
The Chinese Government states that the Pacific Islands are a core
component of their One Belt, One Road initiative, which seeks to
ensnare small nations into Beijing's debt traps.
We know that China is stepping up its military involvement in the
region, recently placing acoustic sensors in the Mariana Trench to
track American submarine movements.
As the resolution recognizes, the solution to this challenge is for
the U.S. to strengthen its engagement. We must ``increase the frequency
of high-level bilateral and multilateral visits with leaders of Pacific
Islands'' and find issues to work on in common.
For example, many of the Pacific Island nations face an existential
threat from rising sea levels. Accordingly, this resolution calls for
us to work with these countries to address the negative impacts of
climate change. Many of the territories or islands of these countries
actually face submersion as a result of rising sea levels. In doing so,
we would work with our partners around the world.
While China employs bully tactics to unilaterally assert itself in
the Pacific, the United States sets an example by working closely with
the island nations and with Australia and New Zealand to promote
sustainable development across the region.
I want to thank Representative Bordallo again for her leadership on
this issue. This resolution is an overdue affirmation of our commitment
to the prosperity of the American territories in the Pacific and to the
strengthening of the relationships between the United States and the
nations of the region.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H10070]]
I want to again thank Congresswoman Bordallo for introducing this
resolution.
American engagement in the Pacific Islands region is critical to our
strategic posture in the Western Pacific. With its passage, we reaffirm
our commitment to the islands. I support this resolution, and I
encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, with the shifting strategic environment of the South
Pacific, it is really more important than ever that we engage Pacific
Island nations and the Pacific Islands Forum to solve regional problems
and to promote prosperity.
We must maintain support for the Compacts of Free Association which
enhance the strategic posture of the U.S. and the Western Pacific,
which also reinforce our regional commitment and preempt potential
adversaries from establishing positional advantage there.
This resolution signals our resolve to maintain and deepen our
collaboration with our friends and allies in the Pacific Islands and
territories. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to join me in support of
this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1157.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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