05/29/2024 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• On March 9th, the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) were renewed to provide 20 years of new economic assistance as a part of H.R. 4366, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. The $6.5 billion of assistance is critical for economic stability and quality of life for the people of the Freely Associated States: the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.
• The Pacific Islands Caucus sent a letter on important Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations requests to benefit the Pacific Islands to the leadership of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies.
• A delegation of Pacific Islands ambassadors visited Washington, DC during the first week of May. They visited Capitol Hill and participated in a roundtable discussion with Members of the Pacific Islands Caucus, where they had the opportunity to engage in crucial dialogue about matters important to the region.
• The House Appropriations Committee advanced the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs FY 2025 bill on May 23rd which focused heavily on the Indo-Pacific region, providing $1.1 billion for major military construction in the region, including $700 million in Guam, $1.6 billion in Hawai‘i, and $96 million in the Federal States of Micronesia.

In the News

• In riot-scarred New Caledonia, France's Macron delays voting reform - At least six people have died in New Caledonia during more than a week of riots over the plans that would allow thousands more French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to vote
• Papua New Guinea says Friday's landslide buried more than 2,000 people and formally asks for help - Papua New Guinea’s remote Enga Province was struck by a devastating landslide on Friday, May 24th, burying entire villages.
• Discussions progress on a Samoa fishing port and fish processing facility – Independent Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao, recently traveled to China for the Shenzhen International Fisheries and Seafood Expo.
• Global Fund grants Solomon Islands $8 million to combat tuberculosis and malaria - The Global Fund announced a significant investment of $8 million for the years 2024- 2026 in Solomon Islands, marking a pivotal moment for the country's healthcare landscape.
• U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane returns home after inaugural 79-day Operation Blue Pacific Patrol in Oceania – The Harriet Lane and crew departed Pearl Harbor in January and traveled more than 15,000 nautical miles spanning from Hawaiʻi to the east coast of Australia. Patrolling in support of Operation Blue Pacific, the cutter and crew worked alongside Pacific Island nations to forge and advance relationships with like-minded allies and partners who share a common vision for maritime governance.
• Tonga's prime minister says he's open to Chinese help with security support at an upcoming summit - Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said he is open to Beijing's offer of security support when the country hosts the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum in August.
• Australia and Tuvalu strike new security deal that eases the tiny nation's sovereignty concerns - On May 9th, Australia struck a new security deal with Tuvalu after critics complained that a previous pact created an Australian veto power over any other agreement the South Pacific island nation pursued with a third country.
• US Congress & UN Foundation reps join Fiji Government to visit National Disaster Management Office(NDMO) warehouse as part of Pacific Mission - A visiting delegation of representatives from the US Congress and the UN Foundation joined Fiji's Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management and Fiji's National Disaster Management Office Director to tour NDMO's humanitarian and disaster preparedness warehouse in Suva.

Pacific Voices

• On our playlist this week: Vibez by Kolohe Kai
• On our watch list this week: Miss Aloha Hula 2024: Kaʻōnohikaumakaakeawe Kananiokeakua Holokai Lopes
• On our reading list this week: From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawaiʻi