05/22/2025 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• Reps. Young Kim, Susie Lee and Johnny Olszweski traveled to Palau in late April to reaffirm Washington's commitment to the island nation, emphasizing the enduring partnership under the Compacts of Free Association.
• A bipartisan group of Pacific Islands Caucus members sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem expressing concerns about the effects of U.S. Coast Guard resource constraints and redirections on the Coast Guard’s presence in the Pacific. Secretary Noem has since replied indicating that DHS will continue to advocate for the Coast Guard to have the resources it needs to carry out its critical missions.
• Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen led several Pacific Islands Caucus members in sending letters advocating for Pacific Islands priorities to the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security and National Security, Department of State and Related Programs.
• The Pacific Islands Caucus hosted Heads of Mission from 12 Pacific Islands nations for a Congressional roundtable on May 7, 2025 with several Members of Congress - Ed Case, Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, Jim Baird, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Young Kim, Johnny Olszewski, Ami Bera, Ryan Zinke, Jill Tokuda and Gregory Meeks. They exchanged views with the leaders on U.S.-Pacific Islands relations.
• Congressman Ed Case and Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, with 16 bipartisan colleagues, reintroduced the Pacific Partnership Act which would require the President to develop and submit to Congress a Strategy for Pacific Partnership and extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum. An identical companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Joni Ernst. The bill previously passed the House unanimously in the 118th Congress.
• Reps. Trent Kelly and Ed Case reintroduced the Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act which would enhance the Coast Guard's presence and readiness in the Pacific. 

In the News

• Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya meets with PIF Secretary General - Minister Iwaya conveyed Japan’s strong support for the Pacific Islands region and the decision to contribute $3 million to the Pacific Resilience Facility.
• Singapore, Fiji lean on close ties to weather "increasingly turbulent" world - During a visit from April 21-23, Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reaffirmed their commitment to deepen ties.
• Fiji and other Pacific nations decry "unfair and disappointing" U.S. tariffs - Leaders in Pacific nations said they were disappointed and trying to understand the tariffs President Trump announced on April 2 before delaying the higher “reciprocal” tariffs for 90 days.
• Kiribati explores deep sea mining deal with China - The Metals Company has surrendered a third of its Pacific Ocean exploration area after a breakdown in cooperation with Kiribati, paving the way for China to add to its regional foothold in the contentious industry.
• World Health Organization declares polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea - The World Health Organization has declared a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea and called for an “immediate” vaccination campaign.
• PIF Chair pushes U.S. and World Bank for Pacific Resilience funding - The Chair of the PIF and Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr ‘Aisake Eke, advocated in Washington for funding commitments to the Pacific Resilience Facility.
• How the Pacific Islands should respond to the Trump administration - Congressman Ed Case published an op-ed in the Pacific Forum.

Pacific Voices

• On our playlist this week: Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (from Lilo & Stitch) performed by Iam Tongi and the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus
• On our watch list this week: Miss Aloha Hula 2025, Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao: Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leinā'ala
• On our reading list this week: The China Alternative: Changing Regional Order in the Pacific Islands