Congress 117 - HR 2967 - BLUE Pacific Act

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

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 Affairs 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 and community service National Guard and reserves 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

Full Text

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Votes

Summary

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.

Actions

May 4, 2021

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.
May 4, 2021

Introduced in House

Amendments

Related Bills