February 23, 2026 Newsletter

HAPPENINGS IN CONGRESS

• On February 3, 2026 President Trump signed into law H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. It included five of the 12 regular Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills, including the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs bill. Within this bill, Congress set aside $175 million for the Pacific Islands, including $20 million for the Pacific Islands Forum's Pacific Resilience Facility. The bill also included $22 million for the East-West Center and a provision requiring funds for an increase in U.S. diplomatic and development presence in the Pacific Islands.
• On December 11, 2025 Congressman Case introduced H.R. 6619, the PROSPER in the Pacific Act, which would extend duty-free treatment to certain goods imported from eligible Pacific Islands countries in the same manner afforded to least-developed beneficiary developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences. You can read more about the bill here. 

IN THE NEWS

• Cook Islands and U.S. forge strategic alliance on critical minerals — The Cook Islands and the United States have agreed a non-binding Framework for Engagement and Cooperation to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, including cooperation relating to deep-sea minerals.
• On a paradise island in the Pacific, meth and HIV epidemics rage — International criminal syndicates have been using Fiji as a transshipment point for drugs originating in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

• Pacific island Bougainville rejects Chinese partner for mine that will fund independence — The Pacific island of Bougainville has rejected a partnership with Chinese miner CMOC to reopen a gold and copper mine that was among the world's largest before it was shut by a bloody civil war. It has opted to deal with an Indian company instead.

• Tonga has a new prime minister — Lord Fakafanua has been elected Tonga's next Prime Minister by his fellow Members of Parliament, ousting incumbent Prime Minister Dr 'Aisake Eke.

• Tuvalu, Solomons ratify the Pacific Resilience Facility Treaty — Tuvalu and Solomon Islands have formally deposited their instruments of ratification of the Agreement to Establish the Pacific Resilience Facility, moving the Blue Pacific region closer to operationalizing its first Pacific-led, member owned and managed and people-centered climate and disaster resilience financing institution.

• 'Tonga is not a threat': anger as small Pacific nation falls under Trump visa restrictions — Community leaders raise alarm over study links and Polynesian ties, with Tonga to face restrictions from January as U.S. says too many overstay.

PACIFIC VOICES

• On our playlist this week: He Aloha Mele performed by Peter Moon Band
• On our watch list this week: Mehn Madau by Carolann Carl, featured in the Ocean of Peace exhibit at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center
• On our reading list this week: Pacific Center for Island Security's Micronesia Security Monitor