[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H610-H612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       STRENGTHENING THE QUAD ACT

  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 5375) to require a strategy for bolstering engagement and 
cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan and 
to seek to establish a Quad Intra-Parliamentary Working Group to 
facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 5375

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening the Quad 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) as a Pacific power, the United States should continue 
     to strengthen joint cooperation between the United States, 
     Australia, India, and Japan (commonly referred to as the 
     ``Quadrilateral Dialogue'' or ``Quad'' and referred to as 
     such in this Act) to enhance and implement a shared vision to 
     meet regional challenges and to promote a free, open, 
     inclusive, resilient, and healthy Indo-Pacific, that is 
     characterized by respect for democratic norms, rule of law, 
     and market-driven economic growth, and is free from undue 
     influence and coercion;
       (2) the United States should expand dialogue and 
     cooperation through the Quad with a range of partners to 
     support peace and prosperity, the rule of law, freedom of 
     navigation and overflight, the peaceful resolution of 
     disputes, and democratic resilience in the Indo-Pacific;
       (3) the pledge from the first-ever Quad leaders meeting on 
     March 12, 2021, to address shared challenges, including in 
     public health, cyberspace, critical technologies, 
     counterterrorism, quality infrastructure investment, and 
     humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as 
     maritime domains, laid the foundation for critical 
     cooperation among Quad countries;
       (4) the Quad countries, working through institutions, 
     including the United States International Development Finance 
     Corporation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and 
     the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and through 
     partnerships with multilateral development banks such as the 
     World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, should finance 
     development and infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific 
     region that are competitive, transparent, and sustainable;
       (5) President Biden's decision to elevate the Quad to the 
     leaders level was critical to bolstering cooperation, and all 
     four countries should work to ensure that the Quad Leaders' 
     Summit continues to take place regularly;
       (6) the ambitious framework for ongoing cooperation laid 
     out by the four leaders at

[[Page H611]]

     the fifth convening of the Quad Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima 
     on May 20, 2023, should continue; and
       (7) the formation of a Quad Intra-Parliamentary Working 
     Group will--
       (A) sustain and deepen engagement between senior officials 
     of the Quad countries on a full spectrum of issues; and
       (B) be modeled on the successful and long-standing 
     bilateral intra-parliamentary groups between the United 
     States and Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as 
     other formal and informal parliamentary exchanges.

     SEC. 3. STRATEGY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy 
     for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad.
       (b) Matters to Be Included.--The strategy required by 
     subsection (a) shall include the following:
       (1) A description of how the United States intends to 
     demonstrate democratic leadership in the Indo-Pacific through 
     quadrilateral engagement with India, Japan, and Australia on 
     shared interests and common challenges.
       (2) A summary of--
       (A) current and past Quad initiatives across the whole of 
     the United States Government, including to promote broad 
     based and inclusive economic growth and investment, and to 
     advance technology cooperation, energy innovation, climate 
     mitigation and adaptation, physical and digital 
     infrastructure development, education, disaster management, 
     resilient supply chains including in critical minerals, and 
     global health security;
       (B) proposals agreed to by all Quad countries since January 
     2021 to deepen existing security cooperation, intelligence 
     sharing, economic partnerships, and multilateral 
     coordination; and
       (C) initiatives and agreements undertaken jointly with Quad 
     countries, in addition to other like-minded partners in the 
     Indo-Pacific, on areas of shared interest since January 2021.
       (3) A description of the diplomatic and bureaucratic 
     barriers and obstacles to implementing and expanding existing 
     streams of Quad cooperation.
       (4) A list of recommendations on how Congress could assist 
     in addressing the barriers described in paragraph (3), as 
     well as--
       (A) any new authorities needed to strengthen United States 
     leadership in and contribution to existing and proposed Quad 
     initiatives and programs; and
       (B) additional resources needed to scale up and expand 
     successful Quad initiatives and programs.
       (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Permanent 
     Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Select 
     Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

     SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUAD INTRA-PARLIAMENTARY WORKING 
                   GROUP.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
     seek to enter into negotiations with the Governments of 
     Japan, Australia, and India (collectively, with the United 
     States, known as the ``Quad'') with the goal of reaching a 
     written agreement to establish a Quad Intra-Parliamentary 
     Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared 
     interests and values.
       (b) United States Group.--
       (1) In general.--At such time as the governments of the 
     Quad countries enter into a written agreement described in 
     subsection (a) to establish a Quad Intra-Parliamentary 
     Working Group, there shall be established a United States 
     Group, which shall represent the United States at the Quad 
     Intra-Parliamentary Working Group.
       (2) Membership.--
       (A) In general.--The United States Group shall be comprised 
     of not more than 24 Members of Congress.
       (B) Appointment.--Of the Members of Congress appointed to 
     the United States Group under subparagraph (A)--
       (i) half shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, based on recommendations from the minority 
     leader, from among Members of the House, not fewer than four 
     of whom shall be members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; 
     and
       (ii) half shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore 
     of the Senate, based on recommendations of the majority 
     leader and minority leader of the Senate, from among Members 
     of the Senate, not fewer than four of whom shall be members 
     of the Committee on Foreign Relations (unless the majority 
     leader and minority leader determine otherwise).
       (3) Meetings.--
       (A) In general.--The United States Group shall seek to meet 
     not less frequently than annually with representatives and 
     appropriate staff of the legislatures of Japan, Australia, 
     and India, and any other country invited by mutual agreement 
     of the Quad countries.
       (B) Limitation.--A meeting described in subparagraph (A) 
     may be held--
       (i) in the United States;
       (ii) in another Quad country during periods when Congress 
     is not in session; or
       (iii) virtually.
       (4) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--
       (A) House delegation.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives shall designate the chairperson or vice 
     chairperson of the delegation of the United States Group from 
     the House from among members of the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs.
       (B) Senate delegation.--The President Pro Tempore of the 
     Senate shall designate the chairperson or vice chairperson of 
     the delegation of the United States Group from the Senate 
     from among members of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
       (5) Private sources.--The United States Group may accept 
     gifts or donations of services or property, subject to the 
     review and approval, as appropriate, of the Committee on 
     Ethics of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Ethics of the Senate.
       (6) Certification of expenditures.--The certificate of the 
     chairperson of the delegation from the House of 
     Representatives or the delegation of the Senate of the United 
     States Group shall be final and conclusive upon the 
     accounting officers in the auditing of the accounts of the 
     United States Group.
       (7) Annual report.--The United States Group shall submit to 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
     Senate a report for each fiscal year for which an 
     appropriation is made for the United States Group, including 
     a description of its expenditures under such appropriation.
       (8) Engagement with us officials on the quad.--Senior 
     United States officials shall provide regular updates and 
     briefings to the United States Group, including leading up to 
     and after major Quadrilateral dialogues, to ensure close 
     coordination with Congress.

     SEC. 5. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

       No additional funds are authorized to carry out the 
     requirements of this Act. Such requirements shall be carried 
     out using amounts otherwise authorized.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Self) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5375.
  The Chinese Communist Party is a generational threat and is becoming 
increasingly coercive toward its neighbors and other nations around the 
world.
  The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue--commonly known as the Quad--
brings together the United States, Australia, Japan, and India, four 
nations that share democratic principles, respect for the rule of law, 
and a vision for the free and open Indo-Pacific.
  In the face of growing CCP aggression, it is more important than ever 
to foster strong, resilient ties with our Quad partners to combat 
malign CCP influence and protect democracy in the Indo-Pacific.
  That is why I support the Strengthening the Quad Act, introduced by 
my colleague from New York (Mr. Meeks).
  This legislation will enhance Quad ties by ensuring regular 
engagement between the United States Congress and the legislatures of 
the Quad countries.
  It also requires the administration to provide Congress with a 
strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill. 
Together, we can more effectively counter coercion from any nation 
looking to dismantle democratic values and the rules-based order in the 
Indo-Pacific.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 5375, Strengthening the Quad 
Act, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, in talking about the importance of this very bill, just 
a few minutes ago before coming to the floor, I had a meeting with the 
Ambassador of Japan, Ambassador Yamada, who talked about the 
significance and the importance of inter-parliamentary conversation. We 
talked about how today

[[Page H612]]

freedom and democracy around the world are under threat.
  According to the organization Freedom House, the world has 
experienced 17 consecutive years of decline in global freedom as a 
result of war, coup d'etats, attacks on democratic institutions, and 
the rise of authoritarianism.
  To stem this illiberal tide, America must lead with our values and 
harness diplomacy like never before. This is especially important in 
the Indo-Pacific region where America's presence, engagement, and 
alliance system have maintained peace and stability for decades.
  In fact, the Ambassador also talked about how much he appreciated 
America being in the region and staying there and working collectively 
together.
  Today, China's growing global influence and authoritarian model is 
serving to undermine freedom in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
  We need to work with fellow democracies in the region to showcase the 
heft of open markets and open societies. We need to demonstrate to the 
region that democracies can deliver real results.
  Consecutive U.S. administrations have utilized the Quadrilateral 
Security Dialogue with Japan, Australia, and India to enhance our 
diplomatic and development efforts in the Indo-Pacific.
  The Trump administration restarted the Quad, and President Biden 
elevated it to the leaders' level, supercharging Quad diplomacy.
  Today, there is a strong bipartisan consensus--I worked very closely 
with my colleagues on the other side, especially Chairman McCaul--that 
the Quad is integral for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
  To ensure the Quad's success and its longevity, we need a clear, 
long-term plan, as well as political and institutional support in all 
four capitals.
  This is why H.R. 5375 calls on the State Department to develop a Quad 
strategy that focuses on building democratic coordination in the region 
for the long term.
  The strategy and report to Congress will allow successive 
administrations to chart forward-looking objectives and partner with 
Congress to best meet them.
  The bill also establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to 
facilitate engagement and cooperation among the legislatures of the 
four democracies.
  Inter-parliamentary engagement will facilitate legislative input and 
strengthen oversight to enhance the Quad's effectiveness. It will also 
help to sustain political support and adequate resources for the Quad 
in all four countries.
  Plain and simple, Mr. Speaker: The world has shrunk, and working 
collectively together, the four countries, sharing the values that we 
have here in the United States for the long term is better for the 
security of all of us, and I believe it will make the place that we 
call the planet Earth a better place, a safer place, for all.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this 
measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I will point out that the recently approved 
National Defense Authorization Act, indeed, pivoted our hard power, our 
military power, toward the Indo-Pacific.
  This is a critical and important piece of building our alliances 
across the Indo-Pacific so that we can have a coherent, coordinated 
approach toward the CCP.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for 
the purpose of closing.
  With growing instability in the Indo-Pacific and freedom under threat 
globally, the Quad is more important than ever for upholding regional 
rules and helping maintain stability.

  Regional rules, high values, and standards--that is what this is all 
about. That is why I am thankful that we are able to work in a 
bipartisan manner, collectively together, speaking with one voice in 
the region and with our Quad partners.
  I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I am also 
thankful to President Biden for elevating the Quad to the leaders' 
level.
  In less than 3 years, President Biden has held five Quad leaders 
summits with the leaders of Japan, Australia, and India.
  In the past 3 years, the Quad has initiated cooperation in a whole 
host of new areas, from infrastructure development and critical and 
emerging technologies to maritime issues and climate change.
  My bill, H.R. 5375, will ensure the Quad is effective and 
sustainable, not just for today, not just for tomorrow, but for the 
long term.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, I thank both President Trump and President 
Biden for their vision of the importance of the Indo-Pacific.
  I thank Ranking Member Meeks for introducing this bill, which was 
unanimously supported by the Foreign Affairs Committee at our markup.
  I support its passage, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 5375, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SELF. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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