Honoring OCEANIA Act

Bill: 117-s-1774
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-05-20 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Air quality
Alliances
Asia
Atmospheric science and weather
Australia
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Chile
China
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Cultural exchanges and relations
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Disaster relief and insurance
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Economic development
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Europe
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Foreign loans and debt
Foreign property
France
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care coverage and access
Health programs administration and funding
Historical and cultural resources
Hospital care
Human rights
Human trafficking
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Japan
Kiribati
Latin America
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Marshall Islands
Mental health
Micronesia
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military personnel and dependents
National and community service
Natural disasters
New Zealand
Oceania
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Peace Corps
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Sex offenses
Smuggling and trafficking
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
South Korea
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Tonga
Transportation safety and security
Tuvalu
U.S. and foreign investments
United Kingdom
Veterans' medical care
Visas and passports
Women's health
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: 

Honoring Our Commitment to Elevate America's Neighbor Islands and Allies Act of 2021 or the Honoring OCEANIA Act

 
This bill requires various actions and programs related to the Oceania region, which includes Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. 
 
The bill requires the Department of State to take actions in the region to 
 
 
develop a program to strengthen resilience to disasters;
 
develop a program to help countries protect against threats to critical infrastructure;
 
provide grants and assistance to build public health capacity;
 
support efforts to address dangers from unexploded ordnance, submerged maritime vessels, and related hazards;
 
provide financial and technical assistance to governments and organizations to combat corruption; and 
 
take steps to ensure U.S. capacity to support residents of Oceania countries who may become permanently displaced by severe weather.
 
 
Furthermore, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security must carry out a program to support regional maritime security partnerships. 
 
In addition, the President must impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that engage in corruption in Oceania.
 
The Department of Veterans Affairs must commence a demonstration program to provide medical and extended care services to U.S. veterans residing in the freely associated states (i.e., Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia).
 
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation must establish a strategy for using market-based private investment to support the development goals of Oceania countries.
 
The bill also requires reports on topics related to Oceania, including (1) a strategy to expand the presence of the Peace Corps, (2) the use of technology to address illegal fishing, and (3) the Department of the Treasury's financial intelligence resources.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-05-20
text: Introduced in Senate