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:Related articles:
Related suggestion:
2 climbers reported missing on California's Mount Whitney are found deadHarris congratulates HBCU graduates in video message for graduation seasonPrince Harry and Meghan are in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and highlight mental healthMichael Palin reunites with his Monty Python coJeremy Allen White shares a FIRST LOOK of The Bear's third seasonCountry star Cindy Walker posthumously inducted into Songwriters Hall of FameArvind Kejriwal given bail by India's Supreme CourtPrince William rocks his shades as he visits a surf beach in CornwallWoman who grew up in polygamist Mormon CULT lays bare horrifying truth about INCEST inside the sectA Florida man is recovering after a shark attack at a Bahamas marina
2.3125s , 6506.2265625 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Bill to Fund US Government Includes Money to Counter China in Pacific ,Culture Connection news portal