07/25/2023 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing entitled “The Biden’s Administration’s Proposed Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023.” The Committee heard testimony from different leaders on the Indo-Pacific about the Freely Associated States.
• The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled “Achieving Peace Through Strength in the Indo-Pacific: Examining the FY24 Budget Priorities.” The Committee heard testimony from the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Asia Bureau at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
• Congressman Ed Case, along with Pacific Islands Co-Chairs Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen, Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman Brad Sherman, re-introduced an updated BLUE Pacific Act, to increase U.S. engagement in the Pacific Islands region. The bill text, a summary and Congressman Case’s extension of remarks explaining the bill can be found here.

In the News

• Solomon Islands and Vanuatu consider forming militaries – Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are considering forming defense forces and have discussed the matter with Australia.
• Marshall Islands Calls for U.S. to Pay More Compensation Over Nuclear Tests – The foreign minister of the Marshall Islands has called for more compensation to mitigate the impacts of U.S. nuclear testing as part of the renewal of a strategic agreement governing bilateral relations between the two countries.
• Why the U.S. and China Compete for Influence with Pacific Island Nations – Competition between the United States and China is increasing with Pacific Island Nations in the center.
• Solomon Islands Leader Hits Back at Criticism of Deepening Security Ties with China – The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands is facing criticism after his visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• U.S. Eyes Massive Increase of Diplomatic Personnel and Spending at New Pacific Island Embassies – The U.S. Department of State plans to increase diplomatic personnel and spending for facilities at new U.S. embassies in the Pacific Islands.
• U.S. Will “Reactivate” Japanese Airstrips in Palau Says Whipps – President Whipps of Palau has announced that the U.S. will reactivate airfields in Palau as part of the new Compacts of Free Association.
• In sport – the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off in New Zealand last week with the Football Ferns beating Norway in the opening match; In cricket, Australia retain the Ashes against England.

Pacific Voices

• Pacific voices – Idol winner Tongi: “It took me a long time to be proud of myself;” Radio New Zealand interviews American Idol winner and Hawai‘i resident Iam Tongi.
• On our reading list this week: Kristiana Kahakauwila – This is Paradise.