BLUE Pacific Act

Bill: 117-hr-2967
Sponsor: Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
Introduced: 2021-05-04 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Air quality
Alliances
Asia
Australia
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coast guard
Competition and antitrust
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Crimes against children
Crimes against women
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Disaster relief and insurance
Ecology
Economic development
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Endangered and threatened species
Family planning and birth control
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Foreign aid and international relief
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Historical and cultural resources
Human rights
Human trafficking
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Infrastructure development
International exchange and broadcasting
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Japan
Law enforcement administration and funding
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
Multilateral development programs
National Guard and reserves
National and community service
Natural disasters
Navigation, waterways, harbors
New Zealand
News media and reporting
Nutrition and diet
Oceania
Organized crime
Pacific Ocean
Palau
Peace Corps
Rule of law and government transparency
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Smuggling and trafficking
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Student aid and college costs
Taiwan
Tariffs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Trade agreements and negotiations
Transportation safety and security
U.S. and foreign investments
Violent crime
Water use and supply
Women in business
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-05-04
text: 

Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act or the BLUE Pacific Act

 
This bill requires and authorizes activities related to U.S. foreign policy in the Pacific Islands, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. 
 
The bill requires specified departments and agencies to develop and implement strategies in the region to
 
 
expand the coverage of the International Law Enforcement Academies program;
 
help build the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions;
 
expand trade capacity and promote regional development;
 
assist in preparing for natural disasters and other emergencies;
 
assist in building public health capacity and improving outcomes, including in response to COVID-19;
 
address climate change, with a focus on improving critical infrastructure and supporting ecosystem conservation efforts;
 
provide expanded media content to the Pacific Islands and partner with journalists;
 
support efforts to reduce gender-based violence and promote gender equality; 
 
promote educational and professional development of young adult leaders and professionals; and
 
promote the development of civil society.
 
 
The bill also requires the Department of State to prioritize efforts to help the Pacific Islands ratify and implement international legal conventions related to transnational crime. The State Department must also coordinate with regional allies and partners in providing assistance to the Pacific Islands. 
 
The President may provide assistance to the Pacific Islands to promote quality basic education and to promote the dissemination of free and accurate information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-05-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2021-05-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2021-05-04
text: 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.
action_date: 2021-05-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-05-04
text: Introduced in House