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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7797 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7797

  To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and 
        policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 27, 2020

Mr. Case (for himself, Mr. Yoho, Mr. Bera, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Young, Mrs. 
Radewagen, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. San Nicolas, Mr. Vargas, Mr. 
    Bacon, and Mr. Sablan) introduced the following bill; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the 
Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
  To establish a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and 
        policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Boosting Long-term 
U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act'' or ``BLUE Pacific Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Statement of policy.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Authority to consolidate reports; form of reports.
         TITLE I--DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION

Sec. 101. Diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 102. Maritime security in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 103. International Law Enforcement Academy for the Pacific 
                            Islands.
Sec. 104. Security assistance for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 105. Transnational crime in the Pacific Islands.
                   TITLE II--DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

Sec. 201. USAID presence in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 202. Trade development with the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 203. Trade capacity building initiative for the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 204. Education and training program for natural disaster 
                            preparedness and emergency management 
                            professionals in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 205. Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 206. Public health in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 207. Education cooperation between the United States and the 
                            Pacific Islands.
Sec. 208. Climate change in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 209. Climate resilient infrastructure and energy security in the 
                            Pacific Islands.
Sec. 210. Coordination with other Federal agencies and cooperation and 
                            participation of nongovernmental United 
                            States entities.
                 TITLE III--PROMOTION OF SHARED VALUES

Sec. 301. Freedom of the press in the Pacific Islands.
Sec. 302. U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Sec. 303. Gender equality.
Sec. 304. Pacific Islands Leadership Development Initiative.
Sec. 305. Civil society engagement and development.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Pacific Islands--
                    (A) are spread over a broad expanse of the Pacific 
                Ocean, including the three sub-regions of Melanesia, 
                Micronesia, and Polynesia;
                    (B) are home to some 2.3 million residents 
                constituting diverse and dynamic cultures and people; 
                and
                    (C) face shared challenges and opportunities in 
                development, including climate change, geographic 
                distances from major markets and vulnerability to 
                external shocks such as natural disasters.
            (2) The United States is a Pacific country with 
        longstanding ties and shared values and interests with the 
        Pacific Islands, including through the Compacts of Free 
        Association with the Freely Associated States, the Republic of 
        the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and 
        the Republic of Palau.
            (3) The United States has vital national security interests 
        in the Pacific Islands, including--
                    (A) protecting regional peace and security, 
                including through a regional order that fully respects 
                the sovereignty of all nations;
                    (B) advancing economic prosperity through trade and 
                development free from coercion; and
                    (C) supporting good governance, the rule of law, 
                and human rights and fundamental freedoms.
            (4) The United States National Security Strategy released 
        in December 2017 outlines a United States foreign policy in the 
        Indo-Pacific region based on strengthening alliances and 
        partnerships old and new, promoting regional development 
        including through fair and reciprocal trade, and maintaining a 
        strong defense to protect regional peace and security. The 
        National Security Strategy includes a commitment to ``shore up 
        fragile partner states in the Pacific Islands region to reduce 
        their vulnerability to economic fluctuations and natural 
        disasters''.
            (5) At the 30th Forum Partners Dialogue of the Pacific 
        Islands Forum held in Nauru in September 2018, then-Secretary 
        of the Interior Ryan Zinke stated: ``The United States is 
        deeply committed to the security and prosperity of our friends 
        and neighbors in the Pacific . . . We see all of the Pacific 
        Islands as an essential part of our free and open Indo-Pacific 
        policy . . . When the United States invests in the Pacific 
        Islands, we do so as a partner committed to a shared future 
        that advances national sovereignty, regional cooperation, and 
        trust.''.
            (6) The Department of Defense's June 2019 Indo-Pacific 
        Strategy Report identified the Pacific Islands as ``critical to 
        U.S. strategy because of our shared values, interests, and 
        commitments'' and committed the United States to ``building 
        capacity and resilience to address maritime security; Illegal, 
        Unreported, and Unregulated fishing; drug trafficking; and 
        resilience to address climate change and disaster response''.
            (7) The United States has deepened its diplomatic 
        engagement with the Pacific Islands through several recent 
        meetings, including--
                    (A) a historic White House meeting between 
                President Trump and the three Presidents of the Freely 
                Associated States on May 21, 2019;
                    (B) attendance at the 2018 and 2019 Pacific Islands 
                Forum Partners Dialogue by the Secretary of the 
                Interior;
                    (C) Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie's 
                attendance at the inauguration of President David 
                Panuelo of the Federated States of Micronesia in July 
                2019; and
                    (D) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to the 
                Federated States of Micronesia in August 2019.
            (8) The Boe Declaration on Regional Security, signed by 
        leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, affirmed that 
        climate change ``remains the single greatest threat to the 
        livelihoods, security, and wellbeing of the peoples of the 
        Pacific'' and asserted ``the sovereign right of every Member to 
        conduct its national affairs free of external interference and 
        coercion''.
            (9) The Asian Development Bank has estimated that the 
        Pacific Islands region needs upwards of $2.8 billion a year in 
        investment needs through 2030, in addition to $300 million a 
        year for climate mitigation and adaptation over the same 
        period.
            (10) The Pacific Islands swiftly enacted effective policies 
        to prevent and contain the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 
        2019 (commonly referred to as ``COVID-19'') pandemic to their 
        populations. To assist the Pacific Islands in their response, 
        the United States has provided over $32,000,000 in funding and 
        coordinated its efforts with the Pacific Joint Incident 
        Management Team. However, priorities must be met to ensure 
        continued success in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 
        pandemic and long-term economic recovery in the Pacific 
        Islands, including--
                    (A) expanding testing capacity and acquisition of 
                needed medical supplies through a reliable supply 
                chain;
                    (B) planning for lifting of lockdowns and reopening 
                of economic and social activities; and
                    (C) mitigating the impacts of lost tourism revenue 
                and other economic damages caused by the pandemic.
            (11) Since 1966, thousands of Peace Corps volunteers have 
        proudly served in the Pacific Islands, building strong people-
        to-people relationships and demonstrating the United States 
        commitment to peace and development in the region. Prior to the 
        COVID-19 pandemic, the Peace Corps maintained presence in four 
        Pacific Island countries. Peace Corps volunteers continue to be 
        in high demand in the Pacific Islands and have been requested 
        across the region.

SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

    It is the policy of the United States--
            (1) to develop and commit to a comprehensive, multifaceted, 
        and principled United States policy for the Pacific Islands 
        that--
                    (A) promotes peace and security for all countries 
                through a rules-based regional order that respects the 
                sovereignty and political independence of all nations;
                    (B) preserves the Pacific Ocean as an open and 
                vibrant corridor for international maritime trade and 
                promotes trade and sustainable development that 
                supports inclusive economic growth and autonomy for all 
                nations;
                    (C) improves civil society, strengthens democratic 
                governance and the rule of law, and promotes human 
                rights;
                    (D) assists the Pacific Islands in preventing and 
                containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and in 
                pursuing long-term economic recovery; and
                    (E) supports existing regional architecture and 
                international norms;
            (2) to support the vision, values, and objectives of the 
        Pacific Islands Forum and other existing regional institutions 
        and frameworks, including--
                    (A) the 2014 Framework for Pacific Regionalism;
                    (B) the 2018 Boe Declaration on Regional Security; 
                and
                    (C) the Boe Declaration Action Plan;
            (3) to extend and renew the provisions of the Compacts of 
        Free Association and related United States law that will expire 
        in 2023 for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the 
        Federated States of Micronesia and in 2024 for the Republic of 
        Palau unless they are extended and renewed; and
            (4) to work closely with United States allies and partners 
        with existing relationships and interests in the Pacific 
        Islands in advancing common goals.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee 
                on Armed Services, and the Committee on Financial 
                Services of the House of Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the 
                Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on 
                Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
            (2) Pacific islands.--The terms ``Pacific Islands'' means 
        the Cook Islands, the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of 
        Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated 
        States of Micronesia, the Republic of Nauru, Niue, the Republic 
        of Palau, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the 
        Independent State of Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of 
        Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Vanuatu.

SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO CONSOLIDATE REPORTS; FORM OF REPORTS.

    (a) Authority To Consolidate Reports.--Any reports required to be 
submitted to the appropriate congressional committees under this Act 
that are subject to deadlines for submission consisting of the same 
units of time may be consolidated into a single report that is 
submitted to appropriate congressional committees pursuant to such 
deadlines and that contains all information required under such 
reports.
    (b) Form of Reports.--Each report required by this Act shall be 
submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex.

         TITLE I--DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION

SEC. 101. DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Secretary of State should implement a strategy to expand the diplomatic 
presence of the United States in the Pacific Islands, including by 
increasing the number of missions and diplomats in the region and by 
expanding and elevating United States participation in regional forums.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report on the diplomatic 
presence of the United States in the Pacific Islands, including--
            (1) a description of gaps in diplomatic presence;
            (2) a description of limitations of such gaps on United 
        States strategic objectives;
            (3) a description of the extent of United States membership 
        and participation in regional forums and organizations; and
            (4) a strategy to expand and elevate diplomatic presence to 
        fill such gaps, including by establishing new missions, 
        expanding participation in regional forums, and elevating 
        United States representation in regional forums.

SEC. 102. MARITIME SECURITY IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United 
States should seek to participate in and support efforts to coordinate 
a regional response toward maritime security, including participation 
by the United States and the Pacific Islands in the Pacific Fusion 
Centre and the Information Fusion Centre.
    (b) Shiprider Agreements.--The Secretary of State and the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, in coordination with other Federal agencies as 
appropriate, shall develop and implement a plan to expand cross-border 
maritime law enforcement operations (commonly known as ``shiprider 
agreements'') with the Pacific Islands.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
        consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall 
        submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on 
        United States efforts to promote maritime security in the 
        Pacific Islands.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required in 
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) a description of issues and challenges 
                affecting maritime security for the Pacific Islands;
                    (B) a description of existing regional efforts to 
                promote maritime security, including shiprider 
                agreements and other operations between the United 
                States and the Pacific Islands;
                    (C) an assessment of areas in which the United 
                States can bolster and contribute to existing regional 
                efforts, including to expand shiprider agreements;
                    (D) a multi-year strategy for the implementation of 
                the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative in the 
                Pacific Islands, including core objectives; and
                    (E) measures of success for the strategy.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 103. INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY FOR THE PACIFIC 
              ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall develop and implement 
a plan to expand coverage of the International Law Enforcement 
Academies (ILEA) program for the Pacific Islands, including by--
            (1) expanding coverage of the regional program located in 
        Bangkok, Thailand to the Pacific Islands; or
            (2) establishing a new regional program for the Pacific 
        Islands.
    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The plan required by subsection (a) 
shall include consultation and coordination with existing regional law 
enforcement entities, including the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police 
and civil society, including those focused on human rights and 
specializing in victim-centered approaches, and take into consideration 
costs of implementation, effectiveness, and capacity of the Pacific 
Islands to participate in the ILEA program.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report that contains the plan developed 
under this section.

SEC. 104. SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) Strategy.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of State, in coordination 
        with the Secretary of Defense, shall develop and implement a 
        strategy to provide assistance, including through the programs 
        and authorities described in paragraph (2), to the Pacific 
        Islands for purposes of--
                    (A) enhancing law enforcement, counter-narcotics 
                operations, and maritime enforcement capabilities; and
                    (B) building the capacity of local civilian and 
                national security institutions to provide essential 
                services to civilian populations and to respond to 
                humanitarian challenges.
            (2) Programs and authorities described.--The programs and 
        authorities described in this paragraph are the following:
                    (A) The International Military Education and 
                Training program.
                    (B) The Foreign Military Financing program.
                    (C) The Overseas Humanitarian Disaster and Civic 
                Aid program.
                    (D) The authority to build the capacity of foreign 
                security forces under section 333 of title 10, United 
                States Code.
                    (E) The authority to provide excess defense 
                articles under section 516 of the Foreign Assistance 
                Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2321j).
            (3) National police forces and coast guards.--The national 
        police forces and coast guards of the Pacific Islands shall be 
        eligible to receive assistance under the programs and 
        authorities described in paragraph (2) for purposes of the 
        strategy required by this subsection.
    (b) Matters To Be Included.--The strategy required by subsection 
(a) shall seek to preserve peace and regional stability in the Pacific 
Islands and take into consideration and seek to build upon but not 
duplicate existing assistance provided by United States allies and 
partners.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the 
        strategy developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall identify--
                    (A) security challenges to the Pacific Islands;
                    (B) demonstrated needs of the Pacific Islands for 
                assistance, including excess defense articles, to 
                fulfill such needs;
                    (C) existing assistance programs and efforts in the 
                Pacific Islands, including programs and efforts 
                provided by United States allies and partners;
                    (D) programs for training and sustainment with 
                respect to such excess defense articles;
                    (E) national police forces and coast guards of the 
                Pacific Islands receiving assistance under the 
                strategy;
                    (F) a plan to provide humanitarian assistance and 
                disaster relief, if necessary, through the Overseas 
                Humanitarian Disaster and Civic Aid program; and
                    (G) measures of success for the strategy.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $75,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 105. TRANSNATIONAL CRIME IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with other 
Federal agencies as appropriate, shall develop and implement an 
interagency strategy to combat counterfeiting, cybercrime, crimes 
associated with illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, 
drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and other forms of transnational 
crime affecting the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy required under this section 
shall be coordinated with existing regional efforts and regional 
institutions and frameworks, including the Pacific Islands Chiefs of 
Police and the Pacific Transnational Crime Network.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the 
        strategy developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
                    (A) threats and challenges of transnational crime 
                in the Pacific Islands;
                    (B) existing law enforcement programs and efforts 
                in the Pacific Islands, including programs and efforts 
                provided by United States allies and partners; and
                    (C) objectives, means of implementation, and 
                measures of success for the strategy.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 though 2025 
to carry out this section.

                   TITLE II--DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

SEC. 201. USAID PRESENCE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
report on--
            (1) the Agency's presence, staffing, programming, and 
        resourcing of operations in the Pacific Islands;
            (2) gaps in such presence, including unfilled full-time 
        equivalent positions, limitations and challenges due to 
        staffing and support of Pacific Islands operations from the 
        USAID office in Manila, and gaps in programming and resourcing;
            (3) limitations imposed by such gaps on United States 
        strategic objectives; and
            (4) a strategy to expand such presence, including by 
        establishing new missions or offices.

SEC. 202. TRADE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United 
States should expand bilateral and multilateral trade with the Pacific 
Islands to promote development and mutual prosperity, particularly 
through the negotiation of trade and investment framework agreements 
with the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Strategy.--The United States Trade Representative shall develop 
and implement a strategy to expand and diversify trade and promote 
regional development with the Pacific Islands, including through 
negotiating trade and investment framework agreements and free trade 
agreements, extending additional trade preferences, and other means.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Trade 
        Representative shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
        committees a report that contains the strategy developed under 
        this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) include a plan to negotiate and enter into 
                trade and investment framework agreements and free 
                trade agreements with the Pacific Islands, as 
                appropriate; and
                    (B) identify opportunities to work with existing 
                regional frameworks to increase trade and economic 
                integration with the Pacific Islands.

SEC. 203. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development shall develop and implement a trade capacity 
building initiative for the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Conduct of Initiative.--The initiative developed under this 
section shall be coordinated with existing regional efforts and 
regional institutions and frameworks.
    (c) Elements.--The initiative developed under this section shall--
            (1) include an initial assessment of--
                    (A) economic opportunities for which United States 
                businesses, or those of other like-minded partners, 
                would be competitive; and
                    (B) legal, economic, governance, infrastructural, 
                or other hurdles limiting United States investment in 
                the Pacific Islands;
            (2) develop human and institutional capacity and 
        infrastructure across multiple sectors of economies, including 
        digital connectivity and cybersecurity;
            (3) assist with development and implementation of regional 
        and international trade agreements, including the World Trade 
        Organization's Agreement on Trade Facilitation and facilitation 
        of intra-regional trade flows;
            (4) support women-owned enterprises and gender equality; 
        and
            (5) promote government policies that encourage free and 
        fair competition, sound governance, and business environments 
        conducive to economic growth.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains 
        the initiative developed under this section.
            (2) Update.--The Administrator shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees an updated report under 
        paragraph (1) not later than three years after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $400,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 
2025 to carry out this section.

SEC. 204. EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NATURAL DISASTER 
              PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS IN 
              THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development shall develop and implement an education and 
training program on natural disaster prevention and preparedness for 
emergency management professionals in the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Conduct of Program.--The program developed under this section 
shall seek to--
            (1) leverage nongovernmental expertise in the United 
        States, including from institutions of higher education and 
        nonprofit organizations;
            (2) integrate with and assist in the coordination of 
        existing disaster mitigation and response plans in the region; 
        and
            (3) cooperate with existing efforts by United States allies 
        and partners in the region.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
        program developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
                    (A) disaster risks in the Pacific Islands;
                    (B) existing efforts by United States allies and 
                partners to provide assistance and training for natural 
                disaster preparedness and emergency management; and
                    (C) objectives, means of implementation, and 
                measures of success for the program.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 205. PEACE CORPS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the presence of the Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands 
        should be expanded and that the Peace Corps should reopen its 
        programs in as many of the Pacific Islands as possible, 
        including where it has previously operated but has suspended 
        operations; and
            (2) consulting like-minded regional allies and partners, 
        such as Australia and New Zealand, is crucial for identifying 
        and overcoming challenges for increased Peace Corps presence in 
        the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a report on--
            (1) the presence of the Peace Corps in the Pacific Islands; 
        and
            (2) a strategy to expand such presence, as appropriate, 
        including--
                    (A) outcomes of consultations with regional allies 
                and partners on areas in which cooperation can reduce 
                factors limiting Peace Corps expansion; and
                    (B) timelines for expanding and reopening programs 
                in the Pacific Islands.

SEC. 206. PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development, in coordination with the Secretary of State, 
shall develop and implement a strategy to improve public health in the 
Pacific Islands, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    (b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section 
shall be coordinated with existing regional efforts and regional 
institutions and frameworks.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains 
        the strategy developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
                    (A) health care challenges, including health 
                systems strengthening, immunization, non-communicable 
                diseases, and gender-based violence, in the Pacific 
                Islands;
                    (B) public health challenges and needs related to 
                the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pacific Islands; and
                    (C) objectives, means of implementation, and 
                measures of success for the strategy.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 207. EDUCATION COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE 
              PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development shall develop and implement a strategy to 
improve educational outcomes in the Pacific Islands and increase 
educational exchange between the United States and the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section 
shall be coordinated with education initiatives in the Pacific Islands, 
including the Pacific Regional Education Framework.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains 
        the strategy developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
                    (A) education challenges in the Pacific Islands; 
                and
                    (B) objectives, means of implementation, and 
                measures of success for the strategy.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 208. CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development shall develop and implement a strategy to 
provide assistance to the Pacific Islands to address climate change, 
with emphasis on coastal zone management, marine waste management, food 
security, and water resource management.
    (b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section 
shall be coordinated with regional organizations and frameworks for 
climate adaptation in the Pacific Islands.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the 
strategy developed under this section.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 
2025 to carry out this section.

SEC. 209. CLIMATE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENERGY SECURITY IN THE 
              PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development, in coordination with the Secretary of the 
Treasury, shall develop and implement a strategy to invest in and 
improve critical infrastructure, including transport connectivity, 
information and communications technology, and energy security and 
access to electricity in the Pacific Islands, with an emphasis on 
climate resilient infrastructure and clean energy programs.
    (b) Conduct of Strategy.--The strategy developed under this section 
shall be coordinated with regional organizations and frameworks for 
development in the Pacific Islands.
    (c) International Financial Institutions.--The Secretary of the 
Treasury shall direct the representatives of the United States to the 
World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, and the Asian 
Development Bank to use the voice and vote of the United States to 
support climate resilient infrastructure projects in the Pacific 
Islands.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United 
        States Agency for International Development shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a report that contains the 
        strategy developed under this section.
            (2) Update.--The Administrator shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees an updated report under 
        paragraph (1) not later than three years after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $200,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 
2025 to carry out this section.

SEC. 210. COORDINATION WITH OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES AND COOPERATION AND 
              PARTICIPATION OF NONGOVERNMENTAL UNITED STATES ENTITIES.

    In carrying out sections 203, 204, 206, 207, 208, and 209, the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development 
shall--
            (1) coordinate with existing programs and efforts of 
        relevant agencies of the United States Government, especially 
        with regards to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the 
        Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau; and
            (2) seek the cooperation and participation of United States 
        private sector, United States nongovernmental organizations, 
        and United States institutions of higher education.

                 TITLE III--PROMOTION OF SHARED VALUES

SEC. 301. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
Development, shall develop and implement a strategy for routine 
professional exchanges and other activities to strengthen the press and 
promote press freedom and investigative journalism capacity with 
journalists and media professionals in the Pacific Islands and to 
counter misinformation and disinformation.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a report that 
        contains the strategy developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include an identification of--
                    (A) challenges to freedom of expression, including 
                for members of the press, in the Pacific Islands; and
                    (B) objectives, means of implementation, and 
                measures of success for the strategy.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 302. U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA.

    (a) In General.--The Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Agency for 
Global Media shall develop and implement a plan to provide expanded 
media content to the Pacific Islands and partner with journalists in 
the Pacific Islands.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Chief Executive Officer shall 
        submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report 
        that contains the plan developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) an assessment of facilities and costs to expand 
                coverage to the Pacific Islands, including options to 
                utilize Voice of America affiliates;
                    (B) an identification of objectives, means of 
                implementation, and measures of success for the plan; 
                and
                    (C) an assessment on the scope and impact of media 
                training efforts and people-to-people engagements 
                organized by other countries for the Pacific Islands.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 303. GENDER EQUALITY.

    (a) Statement of Policy.--Congress affirms the importance of gender 
equality and women's empowerment to United States policy in the Pacific 
Islands and recognizes the work of the existing regional frameworks and 
platforms on gender equality.
    (b) In General.--The Secretary of State and the Administrator of 
the United States Agency for International Development shall--
            (1) develop and implement an initiative to encourage and 
        support efforts by the Pacific Islands to reduce and combat 
        gender-based violence, in coordination with existing efforts by 
        United States allies and partners as well as regional 
        organizations; and
            (2) promote gender equality in political, economic, social, 
        and cultural development programs in the Pacific Islands.

SEC. 304. PACIFIC ISLANDS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall develop and implement 
a program to promote educational and professional development for young 
adult leaders and professionals in the Pacific Islands with a 
demonstrated passion to contribute to the continued development of the 
Pacific Islands.
    (b) Conduct of Program.--The program developed under this section 
may be carried out through--
            (1) grants provided on a competitive basis to qualified 
        organizations with demonstrated expertise relating to the 
        Pacific Islands;
            (2) grants in amounts not to exceed $50,000 provided on a 
        competitive basis to qualified young leaders from the Pacific 
        Islands for the purpose of carrying out projects dedicated to 
        the improvement of their communities in the Pacific Islands;
            (3) regional workshops and professional and academic 
        fellowships; and
            (4) people-to-people exchanges.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the 
        program developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include an identification of objectives, 
        means of implementation, and measures of success for the 
        program.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 305. CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development shall develop and implement a program to 
promote the development of civil society in the Pacific Islands for the 
purpose of--
            (1) strengthening independent media and press freedom;
            (2) empowering citizens to freely organize and communicate, 
        including through existing and new civic spaces;
            (3) strengthening rule of law and increasing government 
        accountability; and
            (4) promoting democratic political culture.
    (b) Conduct of Program.--
            (1) In general.--The program developed under this section 
        shall be carried out in consultation with local civil society 
        groups in the Pacific Islands, including civil society groups 
        that represent or work with traditionally marginalized groups.
            (2) Elements.--The program developed under this section may 
        be carried out through--
                    (A) technical assistance and support, including 
                through training and professional and academic 
                fellowships;
                    (B) grants in amounts not to exceed $50,000 
                provided on a competitive basis to qualified civil 
                society organizations for the purpose of carrying out 
                projects and programs dedicated to the objectives 
                identified in subsection (a); and
                    (C) grants provided on a competitive basis to 
                qualified United States organizations with demonstrated 
                expertise in civil society development and the Pacific 
                Islands.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United 
        States Agency for International Development shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a report on the program 
        developed under this section.
            (2) Matters to be included.--The report required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) an assessment of the strength and viability of 
                civil society sectors of the Pacific Islands, including 
                legal, organizational capacity, financial, advocacy, 
                services, infrastructure, and public image sectors; and
                    (B) an identification of objectives and measures of 
                success for the program.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 through 2025 
to carry out this section.
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