(1) the Department of Defense should address 
shortfalls in critical munitions inventories and make 
improvements in critical munitions capabilities; 
(2) insufficient critical munition investments 
will limit the ability of the Armed Forces to perform 
required missions; and 
(3) improvements to critical munition capabili-
ties should include pre-positioning arrangements, in-
frastructure for munition storage and security, and 
logistical requirements for critical munitions. 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION.—There is authorized to 
be appropriated to the Department of Defense for 
fiscal year 2018 $1,000,000,000 to address short-
falls in critical munition inventories and to improve 
critical munition capabilities. 
(2) CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY AREAS.—Para-
graph (1) shall apply with respect to the following: 
(A) AIM–120. 
(B) AIM–9X. 
(C) Precision-Guided Anti-Ship Missiles. 
(D) Standard missile-2. 
(E) Standard missile-6. 
(F) Evolved sea sparrow missiles. 
(G) Laser direct attack munition. 
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(H) Miniature air launched decoy jammers. 
(I) Fuzes for hard target penetrators. 
(J) Massive ordnance penetrators. 
(K) Army tactical missile system. 
(L) Guided multiple launch rocket system. 
(M) Tomahawk land attack missiles. 
(N) Joint standoff weapon. 
(O) Joint air-to-surface standoff missile 
extended range. 
(P) Sonobuoys. 
(Q) MK48 heavy weight torpedos. 
(R) MK48 torpedo modifications. 
(S) MK54 light weight torpedos. 
(T) Any other weapon system determined 
appropriate by the Secretary of Defense. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 30 days before 
taking any action to obligate funds authorized by sub-
section (c)(1), the Secretary of Defense shall notify the 
congressional defense committees of any proposed obliga-
tion and provide a detailed justification for such proposed 
obligations. 
SEC. 202. PROCUREMENT OF BALLISTIC MISSILE INTER-
CEPTORS AND MISSILE DEFENSE EXERCISES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
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(1) In April 2017, Admiral Harry Harris, Jr., 
Commander of the United States Pacific Command, 
testified that ‘‘Pacific Commands Integrated Air and 
Missile Defense priority is to establish a persistent, 
credible, and sustainable ballistic missile defense 
presence by forward deploying the latest advance-
ments in missile defense technologies to the Indo- 
Asia-Pacific. Accordingly, TPY–2 radars in Japan, 
the THAAD system on Guam, and the Sea-Based 
X-band radar based in Hawaii defend the U.S. 
homeland and our allies.’’. 
(2) 
In 
February 
2016, 
General 
Curtis 
Scaparrotti, former Commander of the United 
States Forces, Korea, testified that ‘‘North Korea’s 
missile program continues to develop, so it is critical 
for the Alliance to continue to build a layered and 
interoperable BMD capability . . . and consider a 
high-altitude missile defense capability.’’. 
(b) PROCUREMENT.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Department of Defense for fiscal year 
2018 $1,000,000,000 to procure terminal high altitude 
area defense interceptors or lower-tier air and missile de-
fense interceptors, including standard missile-3, Patriot 
Advanced Capability (PAC–3) missile segment enhance-
ment, and Patriot guidance enhanced missile TBM. 
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(c) EXERCISES.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2018 
$15,000,000 for exercises to be conducted by the Chair-
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commander of the 
United States Pacific Command, and the Commander of 
the United States Northern Command for joint and other 
exercises with the armed forces of the Governments of 
Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the United States for 
the defense against and defeat of ballistic missile forces 
of North Korea. 
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 30 days before 
taking any action to obligate funds authorized by sub-
section (b) or (c), the Secretary of Defense shall notify 
the congressional defense committees of any proposed obli-
gation and provide a detailed justification for such pro-
posed obligations. 
SEC. 203. PLAN TO MAINTAIN A FORWARD-STATIONED COM-
BAT AVIATION BRIGADE IN SOUTH KOREA. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The National Commission on the Future of 
the Army established by the National Commission 
on the Future of the Army Act of 2014 (title XVII 
of Public Law 113–291) found that the Army is in-
curring unacceptable risk in capabilities that would 
be required early for major contingencies, and that 
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retaining an eleventh combat aviation brigade in the 
regular Army would help meet these demands. 
(2) The Commission also found that with an 
eleventh combat aviation brigade, the Army would be 
better postured to retain a forward stationed avia-
tion brigade in South Korea, a major advantage over 
rotating forces as currently planned, and shortfalls 
in capabilities would decline significantly. 
(3) The Army of the United States currently 
plans to begin rotational sourcing in 2019 to meet 
the Combat Aviation Brigade requirement in South 
Korea. 
(4) The Commission expressed concern that 
this rotational approach may present unacceptable 
risk, given terrain and aviation mission complexities 
in South Korea. 
(5) The Commission found that ‘‘forward sta-
tioning of the combat aviation brigade in South 
Korea would provide air crews greater familiarity 
with the demanding environment and enable greater 
interoperability with U.S. allies and partners for 
‘fight-tonight’ readiness’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with 
the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the 
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Army, should retain an eleventh combat aviation brigade 
of the regular Army in South Korea. 
(c) PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in 
consultation with the Secretary of the Army and the Chief 
of Staff of the Army, shall submit to the congressional 
defense committees a plan that includes an assessment of 
the actions necessary, and additional resources required, 
to retain an eleventh combat aviation brigade in South 
Korea. 
(d) FORM.—The plan required under subsection (c) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain 
a classified annex. 
SEC. 204. EXTENDED DETERRENCE COMMITMENT TO THE 
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review re-
affirmed the commitment of the United States to ex-
tended deterrence and continued protection of the 
treaty allies of the United States under the United 
States nuclear umbrella. 
(2) The United States-Republic of Korea Deter-
rence Strategy Committee and the United States- 
Japan Extended Deterrence Dialogue provide valu-
able communication channels for ensuring the com-
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mitment of the United States to the policy of ex-
tended nuclear deterrence and allow for bilateral dis-
cussions on how the range of United States capabili-
ties—including the United States nuclear um-
brella—can be leveraged to credibly deter, and if 
necessary, defeat, North Korean nuclear weapons, 
weapons of mass destruction, and missile threats 
and aggression. 
(3) Statements by officials of the United States 
have consistently emphasized the United States com-
mitment to providing extended deterrence and de-
fense across the full spectrum of military capabili-
ties, including nuclear capabilities. 
(4) On September 9, 2016, President Obama 
responded to a North Korean nuclear test by issuing 
the following statement, ‘‘I restated to President 
Park and Prime Minister Abe the unshakable U.S. 
commitment to take necessary steps to defend our 
allies in the region, including through our deploy-
ment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense 
(THAAD) battery to the ROK, and the commitment 
to extended deterrence, guaranteed by the full spec-
trum of U.S. defense capabilities.’’. 
(5) On October 14, 2016, Chairman of the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, ‘‘re-
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affirmed the ironclad commitment of the U.S. to de-
fend both the ROK and Japan and provide extended 
deterrence guaranteed by the full spectrum of U.S. 
military capabilities, including conventional, nuclear, 
and missile defense capabilities’’. 
(6) On October 19, 2016, Secretary of Defense 
Ashton Carter, stated, ‘‘the U.S. commitment to the 
defense of South Korea is unwavering. This includes 
our commitment to provide extended deterrence, 
guaranteed by the full spectrum of U.S. defense ca-
pabilities. Make no mistake: Any attack on America 
or our allies will not only be defeated, but any use 
of nuclear weapons will be met with an over-
whelming and effective response.’’. 
(7) On October 19, 2016, Secretary of State 
John Kerry, during a joint press conference with the 
South Korean Foreign Minister, confirmed the 
United States would ‘‘defend South Korea through 
a robust, combined defense posture and through ex-
tended deterrence including the U.S. nuclear um-
brella conventional strike and missile defense capa-
bilities.’’. 
(8) On February 3, 2017, Secretary of Defense 
James Mattis, during a visit to South Korea, stated, 
‘‘America’s commitments to defending our allies and 
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to upholding our extended deterrence guarantees re-
main ironclad: Any attack on the United States, or 
our allies, will be defeated, and any use of nuclear 
weapons would be met with a response that would 
be effective and overwhelming.’’. 
(9) In conjunction with the sea- and land-based 
legs of the triad, nuclear-capable B–2, B–21, and 
B–52 bombers and dual-capable aircraft, including 
F–35 Block 4 aircraft, are vital to ensuring the 
credibility and flexibility of United States extended 
deterrence to Japan and South Korea. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the defense of South Korea and Japan must 
remain a top priority for the administration; 
(2) the United States maintains an unwavering 
and steadfast commitment to the policy of extended 
deterrence, especially with respect to South Korea 
and Japan; 
(3) bilateral extended deterrence dialogues and 
discussions with South Korea and Japan are of 
great value to the United States and its partners 
and must remain a central component of these rela-
tionships; 
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(4) the United States must maintain a robust 
nuclear triad, including nuclear-capable bombers, 
consisting of the current and planned Air Force fleet 
of nuclear-capable B–2, B–21, and B–52 bombers 
and dual-capable aircraft including F–35 Block 4 
aircraft, to ensure that the full spectrum of military 
options associated with the extended deterrence com-
mitments of the United States remains credible and 
executable; 
(5) the fielding of long-range stand-off weapons 
in order to replace the current fleet of air-launched 
cruise missiles before such cruise missiles are retired 
at the end of the service life of the missiles is abso-
lutely vital to ensuring the United States remains 
capable of meeting extended deterrence commit-
ments in the Asia-Pacific region in the years to 
come; and 
(6) the timely development, production, and de-
ployment of the B–21 bomber and F–35 Block 4 
dual-capable aircraft are fundamental to ensure that 
the United States remains able to meet extended de-
terrence requirements in the Asia-Pacific region far 
into the future. 
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SEC. 205. ASSESSMENT OF ABILITY OF THE AIR FORCE TO 
EMPLOY BOMBERS AND ASSOCIATED WEAP-
ONS WHILE FORWARD DEPLOYED. 
(a) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall conduct an assessment of the ability of the Air 
Force to employ the full range of bombers of the Air Force 
and the associated weapons of such bombers while forward 
deployed in support of operational plans, contingency 
plans, and warfighting scenarios throughout the Indo- 
Asia-Pacific area of operations. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The assessment under subsection 
(a) shall include the following: 
(1) An assessment of the capabilities and limi-
tations of infrastructure and weapons loading equip-
ment required to support weapons ground transpor-
tation and activities for B–1 and B–52 bombers of 
the Air Force, when forward deployed to airfields 
controlled by the United States allies of the United 
States in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
(2) An identification and assessment of any 
such assessed limitation that would materially affect 
operational and contingency plans and warfighting 
scenarios in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
(3) Recommendations to mitigate any such in-
frastructure and weapon loading equipment support 
limitations needed to ensure full employment of 
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bombers and associated weapons in support of oper-
ational plans, contingency plans, and warfighting 
scenarios in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
(c) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense com-
mittees a report that contains a report that includes the 
assessment required under subsection (a). 
(d) FORM.—The report required under subsection (c) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain 
a classified annex. 
SEC. 206. PLAN TO ENHANCE IMAGERY SHARING WITH AL-
LIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the Department of Defense should enhance 
critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance 
capabilities because such capabilities are a top readi-
ness challenge and resourcing priority; and 
(2) persistent intelligence, surveillance, and re-
connaissance capabilities with enhanced detection 
and indications and warning are necessary to main-
tain situational awareness and provide adequate de-
cisions space for the United States Pacific Command 
and United States Forces Korea. 
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(b) PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in 
consultation with the Director of National Intel-
ligence, shall develop and implement a plan for en-
hancing the sharing of commercial imagery and na-
tional technical means with the Governments of 
South Korea and Japan, consistent with the national 
security of the United States and with the protection 
of sources and methods. The Secretary shall imple-
ment such plan with the goal of enhancing detection, 
indications, and warning, in order to improve joint 
non-proliferation, counterproliferation, and ballistic 
missile detection and defense capabilities. 
(2) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Defense, in coordination with the Director of Na-
tional Intelligence, shall provide to the appropriate 
congressional committees a briefing on the plan 
under paragraph (1). 
(3) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘appropriate 
congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Armed Services of 
the Senate and the Committee on Armed Serv-
ices of the House of Representatives; and 
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(B) the Select Committee on Intelligence 
of the Senate and the Permanent Select Com-
mittee on Intelligence of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
SEC. 207. PLAN TO INCREASE CYBER AND INFORMATION 
OPERATIONS, DETERRENCE, AND DEFENSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Cyber threats originating from the Indo- 
Asia-Pacific region targeting the United States and 
the allies of the United States have increased, in-
cluding the use of cyber intrusions, the exfiltration 
of data in the national interest of the United States, 
and espionage. 
(2) In February 2016, Admiral Harry Harris, 
Jr., Commander of the United States Pacific Com-
mand, in his testimony noted ‘‘increased cyber ca-
pacity and nefarious activity, especially by China, 
North Korea, and Russia underscore the growing re-
quirement to evolve command, control, and oper-
ational authorities’’. 
(3) Admiral Harris stated ‘‘that in order to 
fully leverage the cyber domain, PACOM requires an 
enduring theater cyber capability able to provide 
cyber planning, integration, synchronization, and di-
rection of cyber forces.’’. 
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(b) PLAN.—The Secretary of Defense shall develop 
a plan to— 
(1) incorporate cyber planning within joint 
planning exercises pertaining to the Indo-Asia-Pa-
cific region; 
(2) enhance joint, regional, and combined infor-
mation operations and strategic communication 
strategies to counter Chinese, North Korean, and 
Russian information warfare, malign influence, and 
propaganda activities; and 
(3) identify potential areas of cybersecurity col-
laboration and partnership capabilities with Asian 
allies and partners of the United States. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall provide to the congressional defense committees a 
briefing on the plan required under subsection (b). 
SEC. 208. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT TRAINING EXERCISES 
AND IMPROVING RESPONSE CAPABILITIES 
FOR CONTINGENCY SCENARIOS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
should conduct enhanced joint force training and ex-
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ercises that specifically address full-spectrum threats 
across combatant commands; and 
(2) the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
should also consider training and exercises that en-
hance the effectiveness of the joint force, and 
partnered forces, to deter and respond to operational 
activities conducted below the threshold of conven-
tional war. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Department of Defense for fiscal 
year 2018 $100,000,000 for the enhancement of joint 
training and exercises through the Combatant Com-
manders Exercise Engagement and Training Trans-
formation Program. 
TITLE III—MATTERS RELATING 
TO FOREIGN NATIONS 
SEC. 301. ASSESSMENT OF FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION OP-
ERATIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The United States has a national interest in 
maintaining freedom of navigation, freedom of the 
seas, respect for international law, and unimpeded 
lawful commerce, in the South China Sea. 
(2) On February 4, 2017, Secretary of Defense 
James Mattis stated, ‘‘Freedom of navigation is ab-
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solute, and whether it be commercial shipping of our 
U.S. Navy, we will practice in international waters 
and transit international waters as appropriate.’’. 
(3) In February 24, 2016, Admiral Harry Har-
ris, Jr., Commander of the United States Pacific 
Command, stated that ‘‘Chinese coercion, artificial 
island construction, and militarization in the South 
China Sea threaten the most fundamental aspect of 
global prosperity—freedom of navigation.’’. 
(4) In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbi-
tration of the Hague ruled that China’s claims to 
‘‘historic rights’’ across a vast expanse of the South 
China Sea were not valid under the United Nations 
Convention on the Law of the Sea. 
(5) The Permanent Court also said that none 
of the land formations in the Spratly Islands in the 
South China Sea—regardless of the party in con-
trol—are large enough to warrant an extension of 
the exclusive maritime zones beyond the existing 
boundary of 12 miles from disputed features in the 
South China Sea. 
(6) The United States Navy has routinely con-
ducted freedom of navigation operations within 12 
miles of disputed features in the South China Sea. 
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(7) On February 24, 2016, Admiral Harris 
stated that ‘‘these operations [freedom of navigation 
operations] are an important military tool to dem-
onstrate America’s commitment to the rule of law, 
including the fundamental concept of freedom of 
navigation’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the United States should condemn any as-
sertion that limits the right to freedom of navigation 
and overflight; and 
(2) the United States should keep to a regular 
and routine schedule for Freedom of Navigation Op-
erations in the sea and air. 
(c) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in 
consultation with the Secretary of State, shall con-
duct an assessment of United States policy on con-
ducting Freedom of Navigation Operation patrols in 
the South China Sea. 
(2) 
ELEMENTS.—The 
assessment 
required 
under paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A review of United States policy re-
garding freedom of navigation in the global 
commons, including in the South China Sea. 
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(B) A plan for conducting freedom of navi-
gation operations in the South China Sea with 
regularity and frequency. 
(d) REPORT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 
30, 2017, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
the congressional defense committees, the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, 
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Sen-
ate a report that includes the assessment required 
under subsection (c). 
(2) FORM.—The report required under para-
graph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form 
and may include a classified annex. 
SEC. 302. SENSE OF CONGRESS REAFFIRMING SECURITY 
COMMITMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF 
JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA AND TRILATERAL 
COOPERATION 
BETWEEN 
THE 
UNITED 
STATES, JAPAN, AND SOUTH KOREA. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the United States values its alliances with 
the Governments of Japan and South Korea, based 
on shared values of democracy, the rule of law, free 
and open markets, and respect for human rights; 
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(2) the United States reaffirms its commitment 
to these alliances with Japan and South Korea, 
which are critical for the preservation of peace and 
stability in the Asia-Pacific region and throughout 
the world; 
(3) the United States reaffirms its commitment 
to Article V of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation 
and Security between the United States of America 
and Japan, which applies to the Japanese-adminis-
tered Senkaku Islands; 
(4) the United States supports continued imple-
mentation and expansion of defense cooperation with 
Japan in accordance with the 2015 U.S.-Japan De-
fense 
Guidelines 
and 
additional 
measures 
to 
strengthen this defense cooperation, including by ex-
panding foreign military sales, establishing new co-
operative technology development programs, increas-
ing military exercises, or other actions as appro-
priate; 
(5) the United States and South Korea share 
deep concerns that the nuclear and ballistic missile 
programs of North Korea and its repeated provo-
cations pose great threats to peace and stability on 
the Korean Peninsula, and the United States recog-
nizes that South Korea has made important commit-
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ments to the bilateral security alliance, including by 
hosting a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense 
(THAAD) system; 
(6) the United States and South Korea should 
continue further defense cooperation, by enhancing 
mutual security based on the Mutual Defense Treaty 
Between the United States and the Republic of 
Korea and investing in capabilities critical to the 
combined defense; 
(7) the United States welcomes greater security 
cooperation with, and among, Japan and South 
Korea to promote mutual interests and to address 
shared concerns, including the bilateral military in-
telligence-sharing pact between Japan and South 
Korea, signed on November 23, 2016, and the tri-
lateral intelligence sharing agreement between the 
United States, Japan, and South Korea, signed on 
December 29, 2015; and 
(8) recognizing that North Korea poses a threat 
to the United States, Japan, and South Korea, and 
that the security of the three countries is inter-
twined, the United States welcomes and encourages 
deeper trilateral defense cooperation, including 
through expanded exercises, training, and informa-
tion sharing that strengthens integration. 
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SEC. 303. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE ASSOCIATION OF 
SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that 2017 is the 50th 
anniversary of the formation of the Association of South-
east Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes Indonesia, 
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, 
Vietnam, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the United States supports the development 
of regional institutions and bodies, including the 
ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defense Min-
isters Meeting Plus, the East Asia Summit, and the 
expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum, to increase re-
gional cooperation and ensure that disputes are 
managed without intimidation, coercion, or force; 
(2) the United States recognizes ASEAN ef-
forts to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in 
the region, including the steps taken to highlight the 
importance of peaceful dispute resolution and the 
need for adherence to international rules and stand-
ards. 
(3) United States defense engagement with 
ASEAN and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting 
Plus should continue to be forums to discuss shared 
challenges in the maritime domain and the need for 
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greater information sharing among ASEAN nations; 
and 
(4) the United States welcomes continued work 
with ASEAN and other regional partners to estab-
lish more reliable and routine crisis communication 
mechanisms. 
SEC. 304. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON STRENGTHENING THE 
DEFENSE OF TAIWAN. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96– 
8; 22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) codified the basis for 
commercial, cultural, and other relations between 
the United States and Taiwan, and the Six Assur-
ances are an important aspect in guiding bilateral 
relations; 
(2) section 3(a) of that Act states that ‘‘the 
United States will make available to Taiwan such 
defense articles and defense services in such quan-
tity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to main-
tain a sufficient self-defense capability’’; 
(3) the United States, in accordance with such 
section, should make available and provide timely re-
view of requests for defense articles and defense 
services that may be necessary for Taiwan to main-
tain a sufficient self-defense capability; 
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(4) Taiwan should significantly increase its de-
fense budget to maintain a sufficient self-defense ca-
pability; 
(5) the United States should support expanded 
exchanges focused on practical training for Taiwan 
personnel by and with United States military units, 
including exchanges between services, to empower 
senior military officers to identify and develop asym-
metric and innovative capabilities that strengthen 
Taiwan’s ability to deter aggression; 
(6) the United States should seek opportunities 
for expanded training and exercises with Taiwan; 
(7) the United States should encourage Tai-
wan’s continued investments in asymmetric self-de-
fense capabilities that are mobile, survivable against 
threatening forces, and able to take full advantage 
of Taiwan’s geography; and 
(8) the United States should continue to— 
(A) support humanitarian assistance and 
disaster relief exercises that increase Taiwan’s 
resiliency and ability to respond to and recover 
from natural disasters; and 
(B) recognize Taiwan’s already valuable 
military contributions to such efforts. 
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SEC. 305. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON REAFFIRMING THE IM-
PORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES-AUS-
TRALIA DEFENSE ALLIANCE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The United States and Australia maintain 
a critical strategic relationship underpinned by 
shared democratic values, common interests, and 
strong defense ties. 
(2) In 2017, the United States and Australia 
will mark the 75th anniversary of the Battles of the 
Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal, and Australia 
has been a loyal ally through modern engagements, 
particularly with respect to international efforts in 
Afghanistan and against the Islamic State of Iraq 
and the Levant (ISIL). 
(3) The United States and Australia have been 
bound by the Security Treaty Between Australia, 
New Zealand and the United States of America, 
signed at San Francisco on September 1, 1951, 
which codified military obligations for each party 
outside as well as within the Pacific region for the 
preservation of peace and stability. 
(4) The Force Posture Agreement between the 
Government of Australia and the Government of the 
United States of America, signed at Sydney on Au-
gust 12, 2014, strengthened the relationship be-
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tween the two countries, a relationship that is an an-
chor for peace and security both in the Asia-Pacific 
region and worldwide. 
(5) Vice President Michael Pence stated on 
April 22, 2017, that ‘‘the historic Alliance between 
the United States and Australia is inviolate, it is im-
mutable, and it is a beacon that shines throughout 
the Asia Pacific and inspires the wider world’’. The 
Vice President stated that ‘‘the United States will 
continue to work closely with Australia’’ to secure 
peace in the Asia-Pacific region. 
(6) Former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter 
stated in 2016 that the United States-Australia alli-
ance continues to be essential in terms of ‘‘accel-
erating the defeat of ISIL together in Iraq and 
Syria’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the United States values its alliance with 
the Government of Australia, and the shared values 
and interests between both countries are essential to 
promoting peace, security, stability, and economic 
prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region; 
(2) the annual rotations of United States Ma-
rine Corps forces to Darwin, Australia, and en-
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hanced rotations of United States Air Force aircraft 
to Australia pave the way for even closer defense 
and security cooperation; 
(3) the Treaty Between the Government of the 
United States of America and the Government of 
Australia Concerning Defense Trade Cooperation, 
done at Sydney, September 5, 2007, should continue 
to facilitate industry collaboration and innovation to 
meet shared security challenges and reinforce mili-
tary ties; 
(4) as described by Australian Prime Minister 
Malcolm Turnbull, North Korea is ‘‘a threat to the 
peace of the region’’ and the United States and Aus-
tralia should continue to cooperate to defend against 
the threat of North Korea’s nuclear and missile ca-
pabilities; and 
(5) the United States and Australia also should 
continue to address the threat of terrorism and 
strengthen information sharing. 
Æ 
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