{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018","description":"

Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018

This bill lays out strategies for promoting U.S. security and economic interests and values in the Indo-Pacific region, which spans from the west coast of India to the west coast of the United States. It authorizes funds to be appropriated for implementing such strategies and cites China's actions and claims in the South China Sea, North Korea's development of nuclear capabilities, and the increased presence of international terrorist organizations in Southeast Asia as particular concerns.

The bill authorizes to be appropriated $1.5 billion each fiscal year from 2019 to 2023 for the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Department of Defense. Appropriated funds shall be used for various goals, including to:

advance U.S. foreign policy interests in the region;
improve the defense capacity and resiliency of partner nations;
build new counterterrorism partnership programs in Southeast Asia;
strengthen partner nations' democratic systems; and
ensure that regulatory environments in partner nations are transparent, open, and free of corruption.

Appropriated funds shall also be used to counter China's attempts to undermine the international system. The funds shall not be used for various programs, such as training programs for the armed forces of Burma (Myanmar).

The bill authorizes to be appropriated $100 million for each fiscal year from 2019 to 2023 to work with nations in the region to counter cybersecurity threats.

The bill authorizes to be appropriated funds for various economic-related goals, including to develop a comprehensive economic engagement framework with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to strengthen intellectual property protections in the region, and to encourage countries to implement national energy strategies.

The bill authorizes to be appropriated $210 million each fiscal year from 2019 to 2023 for activities to promote democracy, strengthen civil society, human rights, rule of law, and accountability in the region. Appropriated funds shall be made available for efforts to promote democracy and human rights in China and to support cultural preservation and development activities in Tibet.

The bill affirms the United States' commitment to its partnerships with various countries, as well as Taiwan.

","legislationIdentifier":"S 2736","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"InForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","legislationPassedBy":{"@type":"GovernmentOrganization","name":"United States Congress"},"author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Cory Gardner","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/cory-gardner-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Affairs"},"keywords":"Agricultural conservation and pollution, Agricultural practices and innovations, Alliances, Arms control and nonproliferation, Asia, Australia, Aviation and airports, Burma, Cambodia, China, Computer security and identity theft, Conflicts and wars, Congressional oversight, Defense spending, Department of Defense, Department of State, Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad, Drug trafficking and controlled substances, Due process and equal protection, Ecology, Electric power generation and transmission, Energy storage, supplies, demand, Foreign aid and international relief, Foreign property, Forests, forestry, trees, Freedom of information, Government ethics and transparency, public corruption, Historical and cultural resources, HIV/AIDS, Human rights, Human trafficking, India, Indonesia, Infectious and parasitic diseases, Infrastructure development, Intellectual property, Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information, International exchange and broadcasting, International law and treaties, International organizations and cooperation, Internet and video services, Internet, web applications, social media, Japan, Land use and conservation, Law enforcement administration and funding, Malaysia, Marine and inland water transportation, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Military assistance, sales, and agreements, Military education and training, Military operations and strategy, Military readiness, Multilateral development programs, Nauru, Navigation, waterways, harbors, Nepal, News media and reporting, New Zealand, North Korea, Nuclear power, Nuclear weapons, Oceania, Oil and gas, Pacific Ocean, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Political movements and philosophies, Religion, Rule of law and government transparency, Russia, Sanctions, Singapore, Small business, Smuggling and trafficking, Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations, South Korea, Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status, Taiwan, Technology transfer and commercialization, Terrorism, Thailand, Tibet, Tonga, Trade agreements and negotiations, Trade restrictions, Tuvalu, United Nations, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. and foreign investments, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Visas and passports, Water use and supply, Wildlife conservation and habitat protection, Women in business, Women's rights, World health","dateModified":"2025-04-07T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-115-S-2736"}

Cory Gardner

Cory Gardner

Foreign Relations Committee