I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2621 
To strengthen security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 24, 2017 
Mr. THORNBERRY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on For-
eign Affairs, and the Budget, 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 strengthen security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, 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 AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Strengthening Security in the Indo-Asia-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 and sense of Congress. 
Sec. 3. Congressional defense committees defined. 
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TITLE I—UNITED STATES POLICY AND STRATEGY FOR THE 
INDO-ASIA-PACIFIC REGION 
Sec. 101. Report on strategy to prioritize United States defense interests in the 
Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
Sec. 102. Assessment of United States force posture and basing needs in the 
Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
TITLE II—MATTERS RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE 
Sec. 201. Authorization of funds for critical munitions. 
Sec. 202. Procurement of ballistic missile interceptors and missile defense exer-
cises. 
Sec. 203. Plan to maintain a forward-stationed combat aviation brigade in 
South Korea. 
Sec. 204. Extended deterrence commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. 
Sec. 205. Assessment of ability of the Air Force to employ bombers and associ-
ated weapons while forward deployed. 
Sec. 206. Plan to enhance imagery sharing with allies in the Asia-Pacific re-
gion. 
Sec. 207. Plan to increase cyber and information operations, deterrence, and 
defense. 
Sec. 208. Establishment of joint training exercises and improving response ca-
pabilities for contingency scenarios. 
TITLE III—MATTERS RELATING TO FOREIGN NATIONS 
Sec. 301. Assessment of freedom of navigation operations in the South China 
Sea. 
Sec. 302. Sense of Congress reaffirming security commitments to the Govern-
ments of Japan and South Korea and trilateral cooperation be-
tween the United States, Japan, and South Korea. 
Sec. 303. Sense of Congress on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 
Sec. 304. Sense of Congress on strengthening the defense of Taiwan. 
Sec. 305. Sense of Congress on reaffirming the importance of the United 
States-Australia defense alliance. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The United States has a national interest in 
maintaining the security and stability of the Indo- 
Asia-Pacific region. 
(2) The substantial forward presence of United 
States Armed Forces is instrumental to maintaining 
security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region 
and to deterring acts of aggression in the region. 
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(3) In April 2017, Admiral Harry Harris, Jr., 
Commander of the United States Pacific Command, 
testified that ‘‘of the five global challenges that cur-
rently drive U.S. defense planning and budgeting— 
ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), North 
Korea, China, Russia, and Iran—four are in the 
Indo-Asia-Pacific’’. He further testified: 
(A) ‘‘North Korea continues to disregard 
United Nations sanctions by developing, and 
threatening to use intercontinental ballistic mis-
siles and nuclear weapons that will threaten the 
U.S. Homeland.’’. 
(B) ‘‘China is rapidly building a modern, 
capable military that appears to far exceed its 
stated defensive purpose or potential regional 
needs. China’s military is modernization is fo-
cused on defeating the United States in Asia by 
countering U.S. asymmetric advantages.’’. 
(C) ‘‘Russia is modernizing its military 
and once again exercising its conventional 
forces and nuclear strike capabilities in the Pa-
cific, which also threaten the Homeland.’’. 
(D) ‘‘Transnational terrorists, inspired by 
and in some cases led by ISIS, have set their 
sights on the Indo-Asia-Pacific by supporting 
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and encouraging attacks in Indonesia, Ban-
gladesh, Philippines, and Malaysia while re-
cruiting and fund-raising there and elsewhere.’’. 
(4) Frank Kendall, former Under Secretary of 
Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, 
testified in January 2015, that ‘‘U.S. superiority in 
some key warfare domains is at risk including 
United States surface fleet and forward bases in the 
Pacific and the United States ability to maintain air 
dominance.’’. 
(5) Continued United States engagement in the 
Indo-Asia-Pacific region is fundamental to maintain-
ing security and stability in the region, and the 
United States should expand and optimize coopera-
tive relationships with and among allies and partners 
in the region, including Japan, South Korea, Aus-
tralia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, 
New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Mongolia, Malaysia, 
Indonesia, and Burma. 
(6) The United States Armed Forces continue 
to work closely with the militaries of these and other 
regional countries to promote peace, uphold the 
rules-based order, and deter acts of aggression. 
(7) Secretary of Defense James Mattis, in his 
confirmation hearing in January 2017, stated that 
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the ‘‘Pacific theater remains a priority’’. In Feb-
ruary 2017, Secretary of Defense Mattis stated that 
‘‘in cooperation with our allies and partners, the 
United States seeks to ensure a peaceful, secure, 
and free Asia-Pacific region’’, and reaffirmed the 
importance of the bilateral relationships of the 
United States with Japan and South Korea during 
his visit to Tokyo and Seoul. 
(8) In March 2017, Secretary of State Rex 
Tillerson emphasized the importance of strength-
ening the relationships of the United States with 
Japan and South Korea, addressing North Korea’s 
nuclear and ballistic missile programs through tri-
lateral cooperation, building a shared commitment to 
the rule of law and international norms, and pro-
moting stability and prosperity throughout the re-
gion. 
(9) In June 2016, then-Secretary of Defense 
Ash Carter said at the Shangri-La Dialogue that the 
‘‘United States will stand with regional partners to 
uphold core principles, like freedom of navigation 
and overflight, and the peaceful resolution of dis-
putes through legal means and in accordance with 
international law . . . and that the United States 
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remains committed to working with China to ensure 
a principled future.’’. 
(10) Admiral Harris testified in April 2017, 
‘‘[The United States Pacific Command] requires a 
force posture that credibly communicates United 
States resolve, strengthens alliances and partner-
ships, prevents conflicts, and in the event of crisis, 
responds rapidly across the full range of military op-
erations, and [the United States Pacific Command’s] 
force posture is supported by the deployment of ro-
tational forces and the fielding of new capabilities 
and concepts that address operational shortfalls and 
critical gaps.’’. Admiral Harris also noted that 
‘‘threats in the [Indo-Asia-Pacific region] require 
United States military forces in the region maintain 
a high level of readiness to respond rapidly to a cri-
sis . . . and the ability of the United States to surge 
and globally maneuver ready forces is an asymmetric 
advantage that must be maintained.’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) the security, stability, and prosperity of the 
Indo-Asia-Pacific region is vital to the national in-
terests of the United States; 
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(2) the United States should maintain a mili-
tary capability in the region that is able to project 
power, deter acts of aggression, and respond, if nec-
essary, to regional threats; 
(3) continuing efforts by the Department of De-
fense to realign forces, commit additional assets, and 
increase investments to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region 
are necessary to maintain a robust United States 
commitment to the region; 
(4) the Department of Defense should— 
(A) assess its current force posture in the 
Indo-Asia-Pacific region to ensure that the 
United States maintains an appropriate forward 
presence in the region; 
(B) invest in critical munitions, undersea 
warfare capabilities, amphibious capabilities, re-
silient space architectures, missile defense, of-
fensive and defensive cyber capabilities, and 
other capabilities conducive to operating effec-
tively in contested environments; and 
(C) 
enhance 
regional 
force 
readiness 
through joint training and exercises, consid-
ering contingencies ranging from grey zone to 
high-end near-peer conflict; and 
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(5) the United States should continue to engage 
in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region by strengthening alli-
ances and partnerships, supporting regional institu-
tions and bodies such as the Association of South-
east Asian Nations (ASEAN), building cooperative 
security arrangements, addressing shared challenges, 
and reinforcing the role of international law. 
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL DEFENSE COMMITTEES DEFINED. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘congressional defense commit-
tees’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
101(a)(16) of title 10, United States Code. 
TITLE I—UNITED STATES POL-
ICY AND STRATEGY FOR THE 
INDO-ASIA-PACIFIC REGION 
SEC. 101. REPORT ON STRATEGY TO PRIORITIZE UNITED 
STATES DEFENSE INTERESTS IN THE INDO- 
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. 
(a) REQUIRED REPORT.—Not later than February 1, 
2018, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the con-
gressional defense committees a report on United States 
defense priorities that addresses the following: 
(1) The security challenges, including threats, 
emanating from the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
(2) The primary objectives and priorities in the 
Indo-Asia-Pacific region, including— 
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(A) the military missions necessary to ad-
dress threats on the Korean Peninsula; 
(B) the role of the Department of Defense 
in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region regarding secu-
rity challenges posed by China; and 
(C) the primary objectives and priorities 
for combating terrorism in the Indo-Asia-Pa-
cific region. 
(3) Department of Defense plans, force posture, 
capabilities, and resources to address any gaps. 
(4) The roles of allies, partners, and other 
countries in achieving United States defense objec-
tives and priorities. 
(5) Actions the Department of Defense could 
take, in cooperation with other Federal departments 
or agencies, to advance United States national secu-
rity interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
(6) Any other matters the Secretary of Defense 
determines to be appropriate. 
(b) FORM.—The report required by subsection (a) 
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain 
a classified annex. 
(c) 
ANNUAL
BUDGET.—The 
President, 
acting 
through the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget, shall ensure that the annual budget submitted to 
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Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States 
Code, clearly highlights programs and projects that are 
being funded in the annual budget of the United States 
Government that relate to the strategy referred to in sub-
section (a). 
(d) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the strategy referred to in subsection (a) should 
be informed by the overall strategy to promote United 
States interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as required 
by section 1261 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114–92; 129 Stat. 
1072). 
(e) REPEAL.—Section 1251 of the Carl Levin and 
Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113–291; 128 
Stat. 3570) is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 102. ASSESSMENT OF UNITED STATES FORCE POS-
TURE AND BASING NEEDS IN THE INDO-ASIA- 
PACIFIC REGION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) An enduring United States presence and en-
gagement across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region pro-
vides the critical access and infrastructure necessary 
to accomplish United States defense priorities, ex-
pands the global reach of the United States across 
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the Pacific, and facilitates a rapid United States re-
sponse to complex crises and contingencies. 
(2) Forward-stationed active duty members of 
the Armed Forces, forward-deployed rotational 
units, and reserve forces assigned to the United 
States Pacific Command remains essential for 
United States planning, logistics, and operations, as 
well as fulfilling commitments with United States 
treaty allies. 
(3) Admiral Harry Harris, Jr., Commander of 
the United States Pacific Command, testified in 
February 2016 that ‘‘the tyranny of distance and 
short indications and warning timelines place a pre-
mium on robust, modern, and agile forward-sta-
tioned forces at high levels of readiness’’. 
(b) ASSESSMENT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall conduct an assessment of United States force 
posture and basing needs in the Indo-Asia-Pacific 
region. 
(2) 
ELEMENTS.—The 
assessment 
required 
under paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A review of military requirements 
based on operation and contingency plans, sce-
narios, capabilities of potential adversaries, and 
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any assessed gaps or shortfalls of the Armed 
Forces. 
(B) A review of current United States mili-
tary force posture and deployment plans of the 
United States Pacific Command. 
(C) An analysis of potential future realign-
ments of United States forces in the region, in-
cluding options for strengthening United States 
presence, access, readiness, training, exercises, 
logistics, and pre-positioning. 
(D) A discussion of political, diplomatic, 
economic, and military factors that may influ-
ence the United States posture. 
(E) Any recommended changes to the 
United States posture in the region. 
(F) Any other matters the Secretary of 
Defense determines to be appropriate. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 
2018, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the 
congressional defense committees a report that in-
cludes the assessment required under subsection (b). 
(2) FORM.—The report required under para-
graph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form, 
but may contain a classified annex. 
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TITLE II—MATTERS RELATING 
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE 
SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS FOR CRITICAL MUNI-
TIONS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Admiral Harry Harris, Jr., Commander of 
the United States Pacific Command, testified in 
February 2016 ‘‘critical munitions shortfalls are a 
top priority and concern . . . munitions are a major 
component of combat pre-positioning, but fiscal 
pressure places this at risk’’. 
(2) Admiral Harris stated that ‘‘Weapons im-
provement priorities include long-range and stand- 
off strike weapons, longer-range anti-ship weapons, 
advanced air-to-air munitions, theater ballistic/cruise 
missile defense, torpedoes, naval mines, and a clus-
ter munitions replacement.’’. 
(3) Admiral Harris further indicated that ‘‘if 
additional resources were to become available, I 
would prioritize investment in the following areas 
. . . procure additional critical munitions (AIX–9X, 
AIM–120D, SM–6, MK–48)’’. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
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