Bill to Fund US Government Includes Money to Counter China in Pacific
U.S. congressional negotiators released a bill Sunday that would fund key parts of the government through the rest of the fiscal year, which began in October 2023.
Among provisions in the appropriations package are critical funds to counter China in the Pacific as part of an agreement signed last year called the Compacts of Free Association, or COFA.
Under the compacts, Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands will receive $7 billion in economic aid over 20 years. In exchange, Washington will provide for their defense and can deny China access to their territorial waters, a maritime area larger than the continental United States.
The United States has had similar agreements in effect with Micronesia and the Marshalls since 1986 and with Palau since 1994. Citizens from these nations are allowed to travel, live and work in the United States as nonimmigrants.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, who represents the U.S. territory of American Samoa, told VOA on Sunday that House Speaker Mike Johnson reached her early Saturday morning to deliver the news.
Radewagen said she then called the presidents of the three Pacific allies to share the details.
“The COFA agreements send a clear message of U.S. commitment to the Pacific region and take a much-needed international strong stand for the ideals of democracy and freedom,” she told VOA in an email.
Senator Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat who has long supported the full funding of the agreement, issued a statement Sunday night.
“As we work to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific, these agreements are extremely important for our national security and that of our allies, and also for the tens of thousands of COFA citizens who live, work and pay taxes in the U.S.,” she said.
The move comes after 26 senators, including Senators Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and John Barrasso, a Republican, urged Senate leadership to include the language that had previously been dropped from a Senate security spending bill on Feb. 12.
SEE ALSO:Senate Fails to Add Compact Funds to Aid Package
Related articles
- NEW YORK (AP) — Sabrina Ionescu scored 20 points and the New York Liberty beat the Seattle Storm 74-2024-05-21
VOX POPULI: Young texters have rendered punctuation marks obsolete
If punctuation marks could speak, they might remonstrate us, “How could you do this to us now, after2024-05-21China is drilling some of the deepest holes in hunt for natural resources
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here2024-05-21Iceland violent volcanic flare
By Kathryn Armstrong, BBC NewsMolten lava flows out from a fissure on the Reykjanes peninsula north2024-05-21Rays opening day starter Zach Eflin placed on 15
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays placed opening day starter Zach Eflin on the 15-day i2024-05-21Shortland Street: Fate of much
Photo: South Pacific Pictures2024-05-21
atest comment