[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5341-S5342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MANCHIN (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Risch, 
        Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Boozman):
  S.J. Res. 48. A joint resolution to approve the 2023 Agreement to 
Amend the U.S.-FSM Compact, and related agreements, between the 
Government of the United States of America and the Government of the 
Federated States of Micronesia, and the 2023 Agreement to Amend the 
U.S.-RMI Compact, and certain related agreements between the Government 
of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of 
the Marshall Islands, and the 2023 U.S.-Palau Compact Review Agreement 
between the Government of the United States of America and the 
Government of the Republic of Palau, to appropriate funds to carry out 
the agreements, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, today, I have joined Senators Manchin, 
Risch, Cardin, Boozman, and Hirono in introducing the Compacts of Free 
Association Amendments Act of 2023. In the House of Representatives, 
Congressmen Westerman, Grijalva, McCaul, and Meeks are introducing 
identical legislation.
  This legislation renews the compact agreements between the United 
States and the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 
and the Federated States of Micronesia, commonly referred to as the 
Freely Associated States.
  This legislation will protect American interests in the Pacific and 
block

[[Page S5342]]

China's efforts to expand its influence. The Compacts of Free 
Association give the United States exclusive military authority over 
the Freely Associated States' lands and waters. This authority 
guarantees that our military can operate bases on the islands and deny 
access to any potential adversaries in the region. This is critical 
because Chinese aggression in the region is an ever-present danger.
  China is expanding its power in the Indo-Pacific and is threatening 
the Freely Associated States. China is actively trying to upset the 
security and power dynamic in the region and threaten Taiwan. In March 
of this year, the outgoing President of the Federated States of 
Micronesia outlined Chinese attempts to undermine his country's ties to 
the United States through bribery and threatening public officials. 
China has also tried to use aggressive and coercive actions against the 
economies of the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall 
Islands by threatening their tourism and fishing industries.
  Today's introduction is a positive step. The House Natural Resources 
Committee intends to mark, up this legislation in order for it be 
included in the National Defense Authorization Act, NDAA. The Senate 
has already included language in the NDAA supporting renewal of the 
compacts. One important issue that is not addressed in this bill is how 
the legislation will be paid for. The question of a spending offset 
needs to be addressed as the bill makes its way through the legislative 
process.

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