Current location:International Ideals news portal > world
Bill to Fund US Government Includes Money to Counter China in Pacific
International Ideals news portal2024-05-21 10:33:44【world】7People have gathered around
IntroductionWASHINGTON —U.S. congressional negotiators released a bill Sunday that would fund key parts of the g
U.S. congressional negotiators released a bill Sunday that would fund key parts of the government through the rest of the fiscal year, which began in October 2023.
Among provisions in the appropriations package are critical funds to counter China in the Pacific as part of an agreement signed last year called the Compacts of Free Association, or COFA.
Under the compacts, Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands will receive $7 billion in economic aid over 20 years. In exchange, Washington will provide for their defense and can deny China access to their territorial waters, a maritime area larger than the continental United States.
The United States has had similar agreements in effect with Micronesia and the Marshalls since 1986 and with Palau since 1994. Citizens from these nations are allowed to travel, live and work in the United States as nonimmigrants.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, who represents the U.S. territory of American Samoa, told VOA on Sunday that House Speaker Mike Johnson reached her early Saturday morning to deliver the news.
Radewagen said she then called the presidents of the three Pacific allies to share the details.
“The COFA agreements send a clear message of U.S. commitment to the Pacific region and take a much-needed international strong stand for the ideals of democracy and freedom,” she told VOA in an email.
Senator Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat who has long supported the full funding of the agreement, issued a statement Sunday night.
“As we work to counter China’s growing influence in the Pacific, these agreements are extremely important for our national security and that of our allies, and also for the tens of thousands of COFA citizens who live, work and pay taxes in the U.S.,” she said.
The move comes after 26 senators, including Senators Joe Manchin, a Democrat, and John Barrasso, a Republican, urged Senate leadership to include the language that had previously been dropped from a Senate security spending bill on Feb. 12.
SEE ALSO:Senate Fails to Add Compact Funds to Aid Package
Address of this article:http://finland.videocameralive.com/article-76f599871.html
Very good!(7)
Related articles
- French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
- Design doubles: Pink loafers
- I'm a gardening expert
- Should you put 'magic' mushrooms in your coffee?
- Nuggets blow 20
- Global democracy rankings: Australia in top 10 nations
- Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Sarah Ferguson all don traditional spring shade
- Florida lawmakers pass bill to ban social media for children under 16
- Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
- From being bitten by a flesh
Popular articles
Recommended
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
Trump appeals US$454 million ruling in NY civil fraud case
Lucy Boynton reveals why her Barbie character barely has any screen time
ESTHER RANTZEN: I asked Mail readers to help me plan my funeral. Your choices
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
How 'hands
Queen Camilla praises Kate Middleton
King Charles speaks to a royal fan about her King Charles spaniel named Camilla at Easter service
Links
- Pressure mounts on CBA to halt hoops slump
- Beijing Half Marathon to be held in April
- Yuan wins Chinese derby to progress at Indian Wells
- Tsinghua art and science symposium explores future trends, presents awards
- Content broadcasting network exhibition to open in Beijing
- The world's BUSIEST airports revealed: Inside the 10 most packed aviation centers across the globe
- UNESCO, Gansu announce partnership
- China storms to quarters, thrilling matchups await
- Game on for tourism bureaus across China after Harbin travel frenzy
- China's Shenzhen opens new air route to Amsterdam