[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 115 (Thursday, July 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 2354. Mr. SCHATZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 4638, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2025 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. 1266. BRIEFING ON ESTABLISHING A PACIFIC ISLANDS 
                   SECURITY DIALOGUE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall brief 
     the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a United 
     States-based public-private sponsored security dialogue (to 
     be known as the ``Pacific Islands Security Dialogue'') among 
     the Pacific Islands for the purposes of jointly exploring and 
     discussing issues affecting the economic, diplomatic, and 
     national security of the Pacific Islands.
       (b) Report Required.--The briefing required by subsection 
     (a) shall, at a minimum, include the following:
       (1) A review of the ability of the Department of State to 
     participate in a public-private sponsored security dialogue.
       (2) A survey of Pacific Island countries on their interest 
     in engaging in such a dialogue and potential topics for 
     discussion.
       (3) An assessment of the potential locations for conducting 
     a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue in the jurisdiction of 
     the United States.
       (4) Consideration of dates for conducting a Pacific Islands 
     Security Dialogue that would maximize participation of 
     representatives from the Pacific Islands.
       (5) A review of the funding modalities available to the 
     Department of State to help finance a Pacific Islands 
     Security Dialogue, including grant-making authorities 
     available to the Department of State.
       (6) An assessment of any administrative, statutory, or 
     other legal limitations that would prevent the establishment 
     of a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue with participation and 
     support of the Department of State as described in subsection 
     (a).
       (7) An analysis of how a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue 
     could help to advance the Boe Declaration on Regional 
     Security, including its emphasis on the changing environment 
     as the greatest existential threat to the Pacific Islands.
       (8) An evaluation of how a Pacific Islands Security 
     Dialogue could help amplify the issues and work of existing 
     regional structures and organizations dedicated to the 
     security of the Pacific Islands region, such as the Pacific 
     Island Forum and Pacific Environmental Security Forum.
       (9) An analysis of how a Pacific Islands Security Dialogue 
     would advance the Pacific Partnership Strategy of the United 
     States and the National Security Strategy of the United 
     States.
       (c) Interagency Consultation.--To the extent practicable, 
     the Secretary of State may consult with the Secretary of 
     Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense and, where 
     appropriate, evaluate the lessons learned of the Regional 
     Centers for Security Studies of the Department of Defense to 
     determine the feasibility and advisability of establishing 
     the Pacific Islands Security Dialogue.
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