12/20/2024 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• On February 6th, the House Foreign Affairs Committee marked up and reported favorably H.R. 7159, the Pacific Partnership Act. The bill will codify and require updates to the Strategy for Pacific Partnership and strengthen U.S. engagement with the Pacific Island region broadly.
• Congressmen Womack and Case led a letter to Speaker Johnson urging him to include the renewal of the Compacts of Free Association in the next available legislative vehicle.
• Congressman Gallagher, Chair of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition with the People’s Republic of China, penned an op-ed urging the passage of the Compacts of Free Association

In the News

• US Congress’ COFA Delay Jeopardizes a Key Element of the ’Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ - The U.S. government concluded COFA renewal talks with Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands in 2023. Months later, Congress has yet to approve the funding.
• Deadly Land Disputes in Papua New Guinea Highlands Leave Population in ‘Constant Fear’- Recent massacre that left dozens dead was latest chapter in years-long conflict that has worsened with arrival of highpowered weapons.
• Opposition Needles Government after Revelations PNG and China are discussing Police Cooperation - Australia is opposing PNG’s efforts to switch its security partners to China.
• Samoa's Top Cop Says Drugs are Not on the Rise - Recent statistics presented to Samoa’s Parliament show that drug manufacturing is lessening, but there is still cause for concern.
• Northern Marianas Delegate to US Congress Announces Retirement - Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan announced he will not be running for reelection for the upcoming term. He is the first and only delegate from the Northern Mariana Islands to serve in the US House of Representatives.
• Tahiti to Host Five Trans-Pacfic Undersea Cables - Tahiti is planning on hosting five undersea google cables to connect Pacific Island Nations to the United States and Australia.
• WHO Role is 'for Tonga and the Pacific', Dr Saia Piukala says - Recently appointed regional doctor for the western pacific Saia Piukala became the first pacific islander to hold the role.
• Military to Re-Activate Pacific Airstrip That Launched Atomic Bombing of Japan - The Military is re-activating an airstrip in Tinian in the Northern Marianas that was used to drop atomic bombs on Japan. With the reopening, locals fear history may repeat itself.

Pacific Voices

• On our playlist this week: Seu Lo'u Pologa: Wayno
• On our watch list this week: Whale Rider (Information Page)
• On our reading list this week: Where We Once Belonged (The First Novel Written by a Samoan Woman Published in the United States)