[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 125 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3465-S3466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 991. Ms. CORTEZ MASTO (for herself and Mr. Daines) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 2226, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2024 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1269. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHMENT OF INDO-PACIFIC 
                   MARITIME GOVERNANCE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a 
     feasibility study on establishing an Indo-Pacific Maritime 
     Governance Center of Excellence focused on building partner 
     capacity for maritime governance. Such study shall include an 
     evaluation of each of the following:
       (1) The strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region in 
     terms of maritime security and governance.

[[Page S3466]]

       (2) The existing maritime governance frameworks and 
     institutions in the Indo-Pacific region.
       (3) The potential contributions and benefits of 
     establishing a dedicated center for promoting maritime 
     governance in the Indo-Pacific region.
       (4) The potential roles, responsibilities, and 
     organizational structure of the center.
       (5) The required resources, funding, and personnel 
     necessary to establish and sustain the center.
       (6) The potential partnerships and collaborations with 
     regional and international stakeholders, including allied and 
     partner nations, nongovernmental organizations, and academic 
     institutions.
       (7) The legal and regulatory considerations, including any 
     necessary agreements or frameworks with other entities to 
     establish and operate the center.
       (8) Any other relevant factors the Secretary determines 
     necessary for the successful implementation of the center.
       (b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives a report on the study required under 
     subsection (a).
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