S.Amdt. 6427

The amendment, submitted by Ms. Cortez Masto and Ms. Ernst, aims to add a new subtitle to bill S. 4784 called the Pacific Partnership Act. Its purpose is to establish a formal framework for the United States to engage with the Pacific Islands region.

The amendment seeks to add the following to the bill:

• Sense of Congress: It expresses that the U.S. should support a policy for the Pacific Islands that promotes peace, security, prosperity, and the rule of law while respecting the sovereignty of all nations. It also suggests collaborating with regional institutions and allies like Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Taiwan.

• Strategy for Pacific Partnership: It requires the President and the Secretary of State to create and submit a strategy to congressional committees by January 1, 2026, and again by January 1, 2030. This strategy must include goals for diplomatic and defense engagement, an assessment of threats (such as natural disasters and economic coercion), a plan to address those threats, and the resources needed.

• Coordination with Allies: It directs the President to consult with allies and regional partners to coordinate assistance programs. The goal is to avoid conflicting programs and ensure they align with regional development goals.

• Reporting Requirements: It requires the Secretary of State to update annual reports on narcotics control, fisheries management, and trafficking in persons to include discussions on transnational crime affecting the Pacific Islands. It also modifies existing reporting requirements regarding the Indo-Pacific region.