10/09/2024 Newsletter

October 10, 2025
Newsletters

Happenings in Congress

  • The House and Senate both passed a continuing resolution on September 25, 2024 to prevent the government from shutting down at the end of the fiscal year. The bill provides continuing Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations to federal agencies through December 20 and extends various expiring programs and authorities. Notably, the Palau Federal Programs and Services Agreement was extended as it was set to expire on September 30.
  • On September 25, 2024, Rep. Trent Kelly and Rep. Ed Case introduced H.R. 9836, the Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act. The bill requires the establishment of a Center of Expertise in Indo-Pacific Maritime Governance, an annual plan for Coast Guard operations in the Indo-Pacific, a report on the feasibility of a standing Indo-Pacific Maritime Group, a report on the feasibility of establishing more forward operating bases in the Pacific, and a report on expanding Coast Guard attaché positions in U.S. embassies in the region.
  • A bipartisan, bicameral Congressional delegation traveled to American Samoa in early October. The delegation included Senator Joe Manchin, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Rep. Wiley Nickel, and Rep. Greg Pence.

In the News

  • Pacific leaders to meet after China's 'concerning' ICBM missile test - The Chinese military successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, into the Pacific Ocean on September 25, its first such test in more than 40 years.
  • United Nations (UN) General Assembly wraps up with Pacific Islands leaders reinforcing message on climate action - Pacific Island leaders wrapped up the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly by reinforcing their message to global leaders that the world needs to act urgently to combat the climate crisis.
  • French Polynesian president asks UN to bring France into decolonization talks - French Polynesia’s president and civil society leaders have called on the United Nations to bring France to the negotiating table and set a timetable for the decolonization of the Pacific territory.
  • Oil spill fears after fuel-laden New Zealand navy ship sinks in Samoa - Containing any oil spill from a fuel-laden New Zealand navy ship that sank on Sunday just off-shore from Samoa’s most populated island has been declared a priority by both governments.
  • UN 'hypocritical' on Taiwan: Tuvalu - Visiting Tuvaluan Prime Minister Feleti Penitala Teo criticized the UN’s exclusion of Taiwan as a “hypocritical” act during a meeting with President William Lai in Taipei on October 8.
  • Niue's Strategic Diplomatic Expansion - Despite being recognized as a sovereign state by some countries, Niue remains in a unique position: It is not a UN member and continues to navigate a complex diplomatic landscape.
  • Heritage Publishes First-Ever Pacific Islands Strategy to Advance American Interests and Counter China - The report, titled "Pacific Pivot: An American Strategy for the Pacific Islands," proposes a comprehensive, national strategy for U.S. engagement in the Pacific Islands region.

Pacific Voices

  • On our playlist this week: Hiʻilawe by Gabby Pahinui
  • On our watch list this week: Oceania Currents (podcast) by the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  • On our reading list this week: The Contemporary Pacific: An Interdisciplinary Journal, edited by Katerina Teaiwa