I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6597 
To establish a Task Force on the Indo-Pacific Treaty Organization, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 5, 2023 
Mr. LAWLER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To establish a Task Force on the Indo-Pacific Treaty 
Organization, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Indo-Pacific Treaty 
Organization Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) For years, the People’s Republic of China 
(‘‘China’’), has repeatedly exhibited aggressive and 
irresponsible behavior towards the United States and 
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its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. This in-
cludes establishing overseas military bases in the 
South China Sea, deploying ships and planes near 
Japan’s Senkaku Islands, invading Taiwan’s air 
space, and sending a high-altitude surveillance bal-
loon over the United States. 
(2) For years, the Democratic People’s Repub-
lic of Korea (‘‘North Korea’’) has repeatedly exhib-
ited aggressive and erratic behavior towards the 
United States and its allies and partners in the 
Indo-Pacific. This includes conducting missile tests 
dangerously close to South Korea and Japan as well 
as deepening ties with the Chinese Communist Party 
and other hostile regimes. 
(3) Both China and North Korea pose signifi-
cant risks to regional security in the Indo-Pacific, to 
United States security, and to international security. 
(4) It is critical that the United States work 
with allies and partners to proactively deter further 
aggression from China and North Korea to preserve 
peace, ensure prosperity, and advance democracy. 
SEC. 3. TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 
establish a task force, to be known as the ‘‘Task Force 
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on the Indo-Pacific Treaty Organization’’ (in this section 
referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’) to— 
(1) analyze the conduct of China and North 
Korea, as well as the security situation in the Indo- 
Pacific; and 
(2) determine whether a collective security 
agreement between the United States and Indo-Pa-
cific allies and partners could serve as an effective 
deterrent to further aggression. 
(b) ALLIES AND PARTNERS.—The Indo-Pacific allies 
and partners described in subsection (a)(2) may include 
Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, 
New Zealand, India, and any other country in the Indo- 
Pacific region the Task Force determines appropriate. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The Task Force established pur-
suant to subsection (a) shall be— 
(1) chaired by the Secretary of State; and 
(2) consist of the Secretary of Defense, Sec-
retary of the Treasury, Secretary of Commerce, the 
Director of National Intelligence, the Assistant Sec-
retary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 
and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pa-
cific Security Affairs. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the establishment of the Task Force, the Secretary of 
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State shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations 
and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a 
report that contains the results of the analysis described 
in subsection (a) and any recommendations of the Task 
Force with respect to the terms of such a collective secu-
rity agreement. 
Æ 
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