U.S. House reintroduces Blue Pacific initiative

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is an original cosponsor of Hawaii Congressman Ed Case’s reintroduction of Blue Pacific legislation. Other cosponsors include Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) and Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA). These Members of Congress serve together as Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus.

The BLUE Pacific Act, first introduced in July 2020 during the 116th Congress, and re-introduced in 117th Congress, lays out a renewed vision and framework for U.S. foreign policy in the Pacific Islands over the coming generation. Specifically, the BLUE Pacific Act pursues a comprehensive, long-term U.S. strategy in the Pacific Islands region that:1.         Expands U.S. diplomatic and development presence in the Pacific Islands;

1.         Increases U.S. security cooperation and assistance to address regional maritime security, transnational crime and law enforcement issues, including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing;
2.         Deepens and diversifies bilateral and multilateral trade between the U.S. and the region and invests in trade capacity building programs for the region;
3.         Supports regional economic and social development in areas of public health, education, infrastructure, climate change resilience and adaptation, and more;
4.         Builds on existing regional institutions and frameworks, including efforts of like-minded allies and partners of the United States;
5.         Promotes shared values like press freedom and gender equality; and
6.         Strengthens people-to-people relationships and civil society.

The updated bill reflects the Pacific Island Forum’s 2022 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and requires continued support for and quadrennial updates to the Pacific Partnership Strategy, released at the 2022 U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit in Washington, D.C.

“The importance of U.S. engagement in the Pacific region and especially the Pacific Islands goes far beyond defense considerations, and the BLUE Pacific priorities are a great example,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific. “Diplomacy, climate resilience efforts for our beautiful ocean, encouraging the Peace Corps regionally, and recognizing development opportunities all come together. Thank you to Congressman Case for his leadership in these commitments.”

“The lands and waters of the jurisdictions spread across Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia comprise an area larger than the land areas of China and Russia combined and represent a major portion of the vast Pacific Ocean and our Earth’s surface, said Congressman Ed Case. “The peoples of these islands have developed their own proud cultures and identity over millennia, and for centuries now have shared historic, cultural, economic and strategic ties with the United States. Tens of thousands of U.S. and allied service-members died throughout the Pacific Islands in World War Two defending the common values shared between our country and the Pacific Islands. Our presents and futures are entwined; they are being and will be determined jointly.”

“Our BLUE Pacific Act reintroduced today updates our prior versions to account for portions already enacted through other vehicles as well as the historic U.S.-Pacific Islands Summit,” Congressman Case continued. “It supports the tenets of the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, ensuring that our efforts are fully responsive to and synchronized with the expressed direction and needs of the Pacific Islands nations. It specifically codifies the Strategy for Pacific Partnership and requires updates to the strategy every four years. It also includes language encouraging the allocation of more staff to the Pacific Islands, and the facilitation of U.S. support for trade capacity building, environmental change mitigation, education, civil society engagement and security training.”

“The well-being and security of our Pacific Island friends and partners is inseparably linked to our own,” said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D., Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific. “As a Pacific nation, the United States shares deep-rooted historical connections with Pacific Island countries built upon the mutual values of freedom and democracy. That is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the BLUE Pacific Act, legislation that strengthens ties with Pacific Island nations in the areas of economic development, climate resiliency, maritime security, and people-to-people bonds. Together, we can forge a more prosperous and resilient future in the Pacific.”

“There has never been a more important time to strengthen our relationship with our Pacific Islands allies, a relationship built on shared commitments and values,” said Congressman Brad Sherman, HFAC Member. “That’s why, as a member of the Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, I’m pleased to help introduce the BLUE Pacific Act which will institute a comprehensive U.S. strategy to reinforce our diplomatic and economic presence in the Pacific Islands and help us further build upon this vital partnership. I commend Co-Chair of the Pacific Islands Caucus, Congressman Case, for his leadership on this important legislation and for his steadfast commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.”

VETERAN SERVICE RECOGNITION ACT

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is an original cosponsor upon introduction Wednesday of the bipartisan Veteran Service Recognition Act, led by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39), with Reps. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Lou Correa (CA-46), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), and María Elvira Salazar (FL-27).

The Veteran Service Recognition Act would allow U.S. service members who are neither U.S. nationals or citizens to apply for naturalization during basic training, establish a review process for those who are in removal proceedings, and provide an opportunity for those veterans who have been removed or ordered removed (who have not been convicted of serious crimes) to obtain legal permanent resident status. 

“As a nation, we make a commitment to all who serve in our military, including those who are neither U.S. nationals nor citizens,” said Congresswoman Amata. “We have U.S. Service Members who volunteered from close allies and Freely Associated states, and these Veterans should have every opportunity to be permanent residents and pursue citizenship if they choose. They have bravely served alongside our American heroes, and have earned our support, just as we support all our Veterans and Service Members.”

This bill was formally endorsed by the American Legion, VoteVets, Union Veterans Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the AFL-CIO, among others. Companion legislation will be introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA).