[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2736 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
S.2736
One Hundred Fifteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the third day of January, two thousand and eighteen
An Act
To develop a long-term strategic vision and a comprehensive,
multifaceted, and principled United States policy for the Indo-Pacific
region, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Asia Reassurance
Initiative Act of 2018''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY IN THE INDO-
PACIFIC REGION
Sec. 101. Policy.
Sec. 102. Diplomatic strategy.
TITLE II--PROMOTING UNITED STATES SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
REGION
Sec. 201. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 202. Treaty alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.
Sec. 203. United States-China relationship.
Sec. 204. United States-India strategic partnership.
Sec. 205. United States-ASEAN strategic partnership.
Sec. 206. United States-Republic of Korea-Japan trilateral security
partnership.
Sec. 207. Quadrilateral security dialogue.
Sec. 208. Enhanced security partnerships in Southeast Asia.
Sec. 209. Commitment to Taiwan.
Sec. 210. North Korea strategy.
Sec. 211. New Zealand.
Sec. 212. The Pacific Islands.
Sec. 213. Freedom of navigation and overflight; promotion of
international law.
Sec. 214. Combating terrorism in Southeast Asia.
Sec. 215. Cybersecurity cooperation.
Sec. 216. Nonproliferation and arms control in the Indo-Pacific region.
TITLE III--PROMOTING UNITED STATES ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN THE INDO-
PACIFIC REGION
Sec. 301. Findings; sense of Congress.
Sec. 302. Trade negotiations, multilateral agreements, and regional
economic summits.
Sec. 303. United States-ASEAN economic partnership.
Sec. 304. Trade capacity building and trade facilitation.
Sec. 305. Intellectual property protection.
Sec. 306. Energy programs and initiatives.
Sec. 307. Lower Mekong initiative.
Sec. 308. Sense of Congress on economic growth and natural resource
conservation.
Sec. 309. Sense of Congress in support of women's economic rights.
TITLE IV--PROMOTING UNITED STATES VALUES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION
Sec. 401. Findings.
Sec. 402. Trafficking-in-persons.
Sec. 403. Freedom of the press.
Sec. 404. Democracy, human rights, and labor personnel.
Sec. 405. Bilateral and regional dialogues; people-to-people engagement.
Sec. 406. Association of Southeast Asian Nations Human Rights Strategy.
Sec. 407. Freedom of information to North Korea.
Sec. 408. Sense of Congress on imposition of sanctions and suspension of
United States assistance.
Sec. 409. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 410. Indo-Pacific human rights defenders.
Sec. 411. Young leaders people-to-people initiatives.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Indo-Pacific region--
(A) represents nearly 50 percent of the global population;
(B) is home to some of the most dynamic economies in the
world; and
(C) poses security challenges that threaten to undermine
United States national security interests, regional peace, and
global stability.
(2) The core tenets of the United States-backed international
system are being challenged, including by--
(A) China's illegal construction and militarization of
artificial features in the South China Sea and coercive
economic practices;
(B) North Korea's acceleration of its nuclear and ballistic
missile capabilities; and
(C) the increased presence throughout Southeast Asia of the
Islamic State (referred to in this Act as ``ISIS'') and other
international terrorist organizations that threaten the United
States.
(3) The economic order in the Indo-Pacific region continues to
transform, presenting opportunities and challenges to United States
economic interests.
(4) The United States has a fundamental interest in defending
human rights and promoting the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific
region. Although many countries in the region have improved the
treatment of their citizens, several Indo-Pacific governments
continue to commit human rights abuses and place restrictions on
basic human rights and political and civil liberties.
(5) Without strong leadership from the United States, the
international system, fundamentally rooted in the rule of law, may
wither, to the detriment of United States, regional, and global
interests. It is imperative that the United States continue to play
a leading role in the Indo-Pacific region by--
(A) defending peace and security;
(B) advancing economic prosperity; and
(C) promoting respect for fundamental human rights.
(6) In 2017, the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and
International Cybersecurity Policy of the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate held a series of hearings on United States
leadership in the Indo-Pacific region, in which--
(A) experts, including Representative Randy Forbes,
Ambassador Robert Gallucci, Ms. Tami Overby, Dr. Robert Orr,
Ambassador Derek Mitchell, Ambassador Robert King, Mr. Murray
Hiebert, and others detailed the security challenges, economic
opportunities, and imperatives of promoting the rule of law,
human rights, and democracy, in the Indo-Pacific region; and
(B) Dr. Graham Allison, the Douglas Dillon Professor of
Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at
Harvard University, testified, ``As realistic students of
history, Chinese leaders recognize that the role the United
States has played since World War II as the architect and
underwriter of regional stability and security has been
essential to the rise of Asia, including China itself. But they
believe that as the tide that brought the United States to Asia
recedes, America must leave with it. Much as Britain's role in
the Western Hemisphere faded at the beginning of the twentieth
century, so must America's role in Asia as the region's
historic superpower resumes its place.''.
(7) The United States National Security Strategy (referred to
in this Act as the ``National Security Strategy''), which was
released in December 2017, states--
(A) ``A geopolitical competition between free and
repressive visions of world order is taking place in the Indo-
Pacific region. The region, which stretches from the west coast
of India to the western shores of the United States, represents
the most populous and economically dynamic part of the world.
The United States interest in a free and open Indo-Pacific
extends back to the earliest days of our republic.''; and
(B) ``Our vision for the Indo-Pacific excludes no nation.
We will redouble our commitment to established alliances and
partnerships, while expanding and deepening relationships with
new partners that share respect for sovereignty, fair and
reciprocal trade, and the rule of law. We will reinforce our
commitment to freedom of the seas and the peaceful resolution
of territorial and maritime disputes in accordance with
international law. We will work with allies and partners to
achieve complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization
on the Korean Peninsula and preserve the non-proliferation
regime in Northeast Asia.''.
TITLE I--UNITED STATES POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY IN THE INDO-
PACIFIC REGION
SEC. 101. POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States to develop and commit to a
long-term strategic vision and a comprehensive, multifaceted, and
principled United States policy for the Indo-Pacific region that--
(1) secures the vital national security interests of the United
States and our allies and partners;
(2) promotes American prosperity and economic interests by
advancing economic growth and development of a rules-based Indo-
Pacific economic community;
(3) advances American influence by reflecting the values of the
American people and universal human rights;
(4) supports functional problem-solving regional architecture;
and
(5) accords with and supports the rule of law and international
norms.
SEC. 102. DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY.
It is the diplomatic strategy of the United States--
(1) to work with United States allies--
(A) to confront common challenges;
(B) to improve information sharing;
(C) to increase defense investment and trade;
(D) to ensure interoperability; and
(E) to strengthen shared capabilities;
(2) to strengthen relationships with partners who--
(A) share mutual respect for the rule of law;
(B) agree with fair and reciprocal trade; and
(C) understand the importance of civil society, the rule of
law, the free and reliable flow of information, and transparent
governance;
(3) to support functional problem-solving regional
architecture, including through the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the East Asia
Summit;
(4) to emphasize the commitment of the United States--
(A) to freedom of navigation under international law;
(B) to promote peaceful resolutions of maritime and
territorial disputes; and
(C) to expand security and defense cooperation with allies
and partners, as appropriate;
(5) to pursue diplomatic measures to achieve complete,
verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of North Korea;
(6) to improve civil society, strengthen the rule of law, and
advocate for transparent governance;
(7) to develop and grow the economy through private sector
partnerships between the United States and Indo-Pacific partners;
(8) to pursue multilateral and bilateral trade agreements in a
free, fair, and reciprocal manner and build a network of partners
in the Indo-Pacific committed to free markets;
(9) to work with and encourage Indo-Pacific countries--
(A) to pursue high-quality and transparent infrastructure
projects;
(B) to maintain unimpeded commerce, open sea lines or air
ways, and communication; and
(C) to seek the peaceful resolution of disputes; and
(10) to sustain a strong military presence in the Indo-Pacific
region and strengthen security relationships with allies and
partners throughout the region.
TITLE II--PROMOTING UNITED STATES SECURITY INTERESTS IN THE INDO-
PACIFIC REGION
SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate
committees of Congress'' means--
(1) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives;
(5) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(6) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for the Department of State, the United States Agency for
International Development, and, as appropriate, the Department of
Defense, $1,500,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023,
which shall be used--
(1) to advance United States foreign policy interests and
objectives in the Indo-Pacific region in recognition of the value
of diplomatic initiatives and programs in the furtherance of United
States strategy;
(2) to improve the defense capacity and resiliency of partner
nations to resist coercion and deter and defend against security
threats, including through foreign military financing and
international military education and training programs;
(3) to conduct regular bilateral and multilateral engagements,
particularly with the United States' most highly-capable allies and
partners, to meet strategic challenges, including--
(A) certain destabilizing activities of the People's
Republic of China; and
(B) emerging threats, such as the nuclear and ballistic
missile programs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
(4) to build new counterterrorism partnership programs in
Southeast Asia to combat the growing presence of ISIS and other
terrorist organizations that pose a significant threat to the
United States, its allies, and its citizens' interests abroad;
(5) to help partner countries strengthen their democratic
systems, with a focus on good governance;
(6) to ensure that the regulatory environments for trade,
infrastructure, and investment in partner countries are
transparent, open, and free of corruption;
(7) to encourage responsible natural resource management in
partner countries, which is closely associated with economic
growth; and
(8) to increase maritime domain awareness programs in South
Asia and Southeast Asia--
(A) by expanding the scope of naval and coast guard
training efforts with Southeast Asian countries;
(B) by expanding cooperation with democratic partners in
South Asia, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka;
(C) through intelligence sharing and other information-
sharing efforts; and
(D) through multilateral engagements, including by
involving Japan, Australia, and India in such efforts.
(c) Countering China's Influence to Undermine the International
System.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (b) shall be made
available for United States Government efforts to counter the strategic
influence of the People's Republic of China, in accordance with the
strategy required under section 7043(e)(3) of the Department of State,
Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014
(division K of Public Law 113-76; 128 Stat. 536) and in consultation
with the appropriate committees of Congress.
(d) Burma.--None of the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection
(b) may be made available for International Military Education and
Training and Foreign Military Financing Programs for the armed forces
of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (historically known as
``Burma'').
(e) Philippines.--
(1) In general.--None of the amounts appropriated pursuant to
subsection (b) may be made available for counternarcotics
assistance for the Philippine National Police unless the Secretary
of State determines and reports to the appropriate committees of
Congress that the Government of the Philippines has adopted and is
implementing a counternarcotics strategy that is consistent with
international human rights standards, including investigating and
prosecuting individuals who are credibly alleged to have ordered,
committed, or covered up extrajudicial killings and other gross
violations of human rights in the conduct of counternarcotics
operations.
(2) Exception.--The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not
apply to funds made available--
(A) for drug demand reduction, maritime programs, or
transnational interdiction programs; or
(B) to support for the development of such counternarcotics
strategy, after consultation with the appropriate committees of
Congress.
(f) Cambodia.--None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated
pursuant to subsection (b) may be made available for United States
assistance programs that benefit the Government of Cambodia unless the
Secretary of State certifies and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that the requirements under section 7043(b)(1)
of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law
115-141) have been met.
SEC. 202. TREATY ALLIANCES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION.
(a) United States-Japan Alliance.--The United States Government--
(1) is committed to the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and
Security between the United States and Japan, done at Washington,
January 19, 1960, and all related and subsequent bilateral security
agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the
enactment of this Act;
(2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the
United States and Japan in promoting peace and security in the
Indo-Pacific region; and
(3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic,
economic, and security ties between the United States and Japan.
(b) United States-Republic of Korea Alliance.--The United States
Government--
(1) is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the
United States and the Republic of Korea, done at Washington October
1, 1953, and all related and subsequent bilateral security
agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the
enactment of this Act;
(2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the
United States and South Korea in promoting peace and security in
the Indo-Pacific region; and
(3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic,
economic, and security ties between the United States and the
Republic of Korea.
(c) United States-Australia Alliance.--The United States
Government--
(1) is committed to the Security Treaty Between Australia and
the United States of America, done at San Francisco September 1,
1951, and all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements
and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment
of this Act;
(2) recognizes the vital role of the alliance between the
United States and Australia in promoting peace and security in the
Indo-Pacific region; and
(3) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic,
economic, and security ties between the United States and
Australia.
(d) United States-Philippines Alliance.--The United States
Government is committed to the Mutual Defense Treaty between the
Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America, done at
Washington August 30, 1951, and all related and subsequent bilateral
security agreements and arrangements concluded on or before the date of
the enactment of this Act, including the Enhanced Defense Cooperation
Agreement, done at Manila April 28, 2014.
(e) Thailand.--The United States Government is committed to--
(1) the Agreement Respecting Military Assistance Between the
Government of the United States of America and the Government of
Thailand, done at Bangkok October 17, 1950;
(2) the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, done at
Manila September 8, 1954; and
(3) all related and subsequent bilateral security agreements
and arrangements concluded on or before the date of the enactment
of this Act, including the Joint Vision Statement for the Thai-
United States Defense Alliance, issued in Bangkok November 15,
2012.
SEC. 203. UNITED STATES-CHINA RELATIONSHIP.
(a) In General.--The United States Government--
(1) expresses grave concerns with Chinese actions that seek--
(A) to further constrain space for civil society and
religion within China; and
(B) to undermine a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific
region;
(2) encourages China to play a constructive role in world
affairs by demonstrating consistent respect for the rule of law and
international norms;
(3) seeks to build a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive
relationship with China--
(A) by expanding areas of cooperation; and
(B) by addressing areas of disagreement, including over
human rights, economic policies, and maritime security; and
(4) is committed to working with China on shared regional and
global challenges, especially--
(A) upholding and strengthening the rules-based
international system; and
(B) the denuclearization of North Korea.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States should--
(1) welcome a decision by China to change course and pursue a
responsible results-oriented relationship with the United States
and engagement on global issues;
(2) encourage China to play a constructive role in the Indo-
Pacific region and globally; and
(3) continue to call out Chinese actions that undermine the
rules-based international system.
SEC. 204. UNITED STATES-INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP.
(a) In General.--The United States Government--
(1) recognizes the vital role of the strategic partnership
between the United States and India in promoting peace and security
in the Indo-Pacific region;
(2) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic,
economic, and security ties between the United States and India;
and
(3) is committed to--
(A) the New Framework for the United States-India Defense
Relationship, done at Arlington, Virginia on June 28, 2005;
(B) the United States-India Defense Technology and Trade
Initiative, launched in 2012;
(C) the Joint Strategic Vision for the Indo-Pacific and
Indian Ocean Region, announced on January 25, 2015;
(D) the United States-India Joint Statement on Prosperity
Through Partnership, issued on June 26, 2017; and
(E) all related and subsequent bilateral and security
agreements and arrangements concluded as of the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) India as Major Defense Partner.--Congress makes the following
findings:
(1) Section 1292(a)(1)(A) of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat. 2559; 22
U.S.C. 2751 note) requires the recognition of India as a major
defense partner.
(2) The designation of India as a major defense partner, which
is unique to India--
(A) institutionalizes the progress made to facilitate
defense trade and technology sharing between the United States
and India;
(B) elevates defense trade and technology cooperation
between the United States and India to a level commensurate
with the closest allies and partners of the United States;
(C) facilitates technology sharing between the United
States and India, including license-free access to a wide range
of dual-use technologies, after taking into account national
security concerns; and
(D) facilitates joint exercises, coordination on defense
strategy and policy, military exchanges, and port calls in
support of defense cooperation between the United States and
India.
SEC. 205. UNITED STATES-ASEAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States should--
(1) support and reaffirm the elevation of the United States-
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (referred to in this section
as ``ASEAN'') relationship to a strategic partnership;
(2) recommit to ASEAN centrality by helping build a strong,
stable, politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially
responsible community of nations that has common rules, norms,
procedures, and standards which are consistent with international
law and the principles of a rules-based Indo-Pacific community;
(3) urge ASEAN to continue its efforts to foster greater
integration among its members;
(4) recognize the value of--
(A) ASEAN engagement with economic, political, and security
partners within Asia and elsewhere, including Australia,
Canada, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, Norway,
the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan; and
(B) strategic economic initiatives, such as activities
under the United States-ASEAN Trade and Investment Framework
Arrangement and the United States-ASEAN Connect, which
demonstrate a commitment to ASEAN and the ASEAN Economic
Community and build upon economic relationships in the Indo-
Pacific region;
(5) support efforts by the nations comprising ASEAN--
(A) to address maritime and territorial disputes in a
constructive manner; and
(B) to pursue claims through peaceful, diplomatic, and
legitimate regional and international arbitration mechanisms,
consistent with international law, including through the
adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea to further
promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region;
(6) support efforts by United States partners and allies in
ASEAN--
(A) to enhance maritime capability and maritime domain
awareness;
(B) to protect unhindered access to, and use of,
international waterways in the Asia-Pacific region that are
critical to ensuring the security and free flow of commerce;
(C) to counter piracy;
(D) to disrupt illicit maritime trafficking activities such
as the trafficking of persons, goods, and drugs; and
(E) to enhance the maritime capabilities of countries or
regional organizations to respond to emerging threats to
maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region; and
(7) urge ASEAN member states to develop a common approach to
reaffirm the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's
ruling with respect to the case between the Republic of the
Philippines and the People's Republic of China.
(b) Report on Strategic Framework for Engagement With ASEAN.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 5
years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with other Federal
agencies, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees on a strategic framework to administer programs,
projects, and activities of the United States to support diplomatic
and economic engagement between the United States and ASEAN member
countries for the 10-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall
address the following elements of United States strategy:
(A) Promoting commercial engagement between the United
States and member countries of ASEAN.
(B) Helping member countries of ASEAN use sustainable,
efficient, and innovative technologies in their respective
energy sectors.
(C) Supporting economic conditions in member countries of
ASEAN that promote innovation, the creation of new businesses,
sustainable growth, and the education of the region's future
innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
(D) Working with member countries of ASEAN to improve the
policy and regulatory environment for growth, trade,
innovation, and investment.
(E) Supporting the regional integration objectives of
member countries of ASEAN under the ASEAN Economic Community.
(F) Partnership opportunities with the governments of other
countries friendly to the United States that have committed to
a high set of standards for investment and development with
ASEAN, as determined by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 206. UNITED STATES-REPUBLIC OF KOREA-JAPAN TRILATERAL SECURITY
PARTNERSHIP.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should develop a
strategy to deepen the trilateral security cooperation between the
United States, South Korea, and Japan, including missile defense,
intelligence-sharing, and other defense-related initiatives.
SEC. 207. QUADRILATERAL SECURITY DIALOGUE.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the security dialogue between the United States, Australia,
India, and Japan is vital to address pressing security challenges
in the Indo-Pacific region in order to promote--
(A) a rules-based order;
(B) respect for international law; and
(C) a free and open Indo-Pacific; and
(2) such a dialogue is intended to augment, rather than to
replace, current mechanisms.
SEC. 208. ENHANCED SECURITY PARTNERSHIPS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
(a) Indonesia.--The United States Government is committed to--
(1) the United States-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, done
in Washington November 9, 2010;
(2) the Joint Statement on Comprehensive Defense Cooperation,
done in Washington October 26, 2015; and
(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security
agreements and arrangements between the United States and Indonesia
concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Malaysia.--The United States Government is committed to--
(1) the United States-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership, done
at Putrajaya April 27, 2014;
(2) the Joint Statement for Enhancing the Comprehensive
Partnership between the United States of America and Malaysia, done
in Washington September 13, 2017; and
(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security
agreements and arrangements between the United States and Malaysia
concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Singapore.--The United States Government is committed to--
(1) the Strategic Framework Agreement Between the United States
of America and the Republic of Singapore for a Closer Cooperation
Partnership in Defense and Security, done at Washington July 12,
2005;
(2) the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, done at
Arlington, Virginia December 7, 2015; and
(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security
agreements and arrangements between the United States and Singapore
concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) Vietnam.--The United States Government is committed to--
(1) the United States-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, done
at Washington December 16, 2013;
(2) the United StatesVietnam Joint Vision Statement on Defense
Relations, done at Hanoi on June 1, 2015;
(3) the United StatesVietnam Joint Vision Statement, done at
Washington May 31, 2017; and
(4) all related and subsequent bilateral and security
agreements and arrangements between the United States and Vietnam
concluded on or before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States should deepen diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation,
especially in the areas of maritime security and counterterrorism, with
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
SEC. 209. COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN.
(a) United States Commitment to Taiwan.--It is the policy of the
United States--
(1) to support the close economic, political, and security
relationship between Taiwan and the United States;
(2) to faithfully enforce all existing United States Government
commitments to Taiwan, consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act of
1979 (Public Law 96-8), the 3 joint communiques, and the Six
Assurances agreed to by President Ronald Reagan in July 1982; and
(3) to counter efforts to change the status quo and to support
peaceful resolution acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
(b) Arms Sales to Taiwan.--The President should conduct regular
transfers of defense articles to Taiwan that are tailored to meet the
existing and likely future threats from the People's Republic of China,
including supporting the efforts of Taiwan to develop and integrate
asymmetric capabilities, as appropriate, including mobile, survivable,
and cost-effective capabilities, into its military forces.
(c) Travel.--The President should encourage the travel of highlevel
United States officials to Taiwan, in accordance with the Taiwan Travel
Act (Public Law 115-135).
SEC. 210. NORTH KOREA STRATEGY.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
has flagrantly defied the international community by illicitly
developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, in violation
of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874
(2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), 2371
(2017), 2375 (2017), and 2397 (2017).
(2) The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
engages in gross human rights abuses against its own people and
citizens of other countries, including the United States, the
Republic of Korea, and Japan.
(3) The United States is committed to pursuing a peaceful
denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
through a policy of maximum pressure and engagement, in close
concert with its partners.
(b) Policy of the United States With Respect to Sanctions Against
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.--
(1) Statement of policy.--It is the policy of the United States
to continue to impose sanctions with respect to activities of the
Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, persons
acting for or on behalf of such government, or other persons in
accordance with Executive Order No. 13551 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note;
relating to blocking property of certain persons with respect to
North Korea), Executive Order No. 13687 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note;
relating to imposing additional sanctions), Executive Order No.
13694 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to blocking the property of
certain persons engaging in significant malicious cyberenabled
activities), Executive Order No. 13722 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note;
relating to blocking the property of the Government of North Korea
and the Workers' Party of Korea, and prohibiting certain
transactions with respect to North Korea), and Executive Order No.
13810 (82 Fed. Reg. 44705; relating to imposing additional
sanctions with respect to North Korea), as such Executive orders
are in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this
Act, until the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is no longer
engaged in the illicit activities described in such Executive
orders, including actions in violation of the United Nations
Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1).
(2) Report.--Not later than 30 days after terminating any
sanction with respect to the activities of the Government of the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a person acting for or on
behalf of such government, or any other person provided for in an
Executive order listed in subsection (a), the Secretary of State,
in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall submit a
report to the appropriate congressional committees justifying the
termination of the sanction and explaining the relationship between
such termination and the cessation of any illicit activity that
violates any of the United Nations Security Council resolutions
referred to in subsection (a)(1) by such Government or person. The
reporting requirement under this paragraph shall terminate on the
date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et
seq.).
(c) Policy of the United States With Respect to Negotiation on the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Nuclear and Ballistic Missile
Programs.--It is the policy of the United States that the objective of
negotiations with respect to the nuclear and ballistic missile programs
of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea be the complete,
verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of such programs.
(d) Report on a Strategy to Address the Threats Posed by, and the
Capabilities of, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for the
following 5 years, the Secretary of State, or a designee of the
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury,
shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees
that describes actions taken by the United States to address the
threats posed by, and the capabilities of, the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea.
(2) Elements.--Each report required under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A) a summary of ongoing efforts by the United States to
identify strategies and policies, including an assessment of
the strengths and weaknesses of such strategies and policies--
(i) to achieve peaceful denuclearization of the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea; and
(ii) to eliminate the threat posed by the ballistic
missile program of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea;
(B) an assessment of--
(i) potential road maps toward peaceful
denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea and the elimination of the nuclear and ballistic
missile threats posed by the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea; and
(ii) specific actions that the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea would need to take for each such roadmap
to become viable;
(C) a summary of the United States strategy to increase
international coordination and cooperation, whether
unilaterally, bilaterally, or multilaterally, including
sanctions enforcement and interdiction, to address the threat
posed by the nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which shall include--
(i) a description of the actions taken by the Secretary
of State, or designees of the Secretary, to consult with
governments around the world, with the purpose of inducing
such governments to fully implement the United Nations
Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection
(a)(1);
(ii) a description of the actions taken by such
governments to fully implement United Nations Security
Council resolutions related to the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea;
(iii) a list of countries with governments that the
Secretary has determined are noncooperative with respect to
implementing the United Nations Security Council
resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1); and
(iv) a plan of action to engage, and increase
cooperation with respect to the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea, with the governments of the countries on
the list described in clause (iii);
(D) an assessment of the adequacy of the national export
control regimes of countries that are members of the United
Nations, and multilateral export control regimes, that are
necessary to enforce sanctions imposed with respect to the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea pursuant to the United
Nations Security Council resolutions referred to in subsection
(a)(1); and
(E) an action plan to encourage and assist countries in
adopting and using authorities necessary to enforce export
controls required by United Nations Security Council
resolutions.
(3) Form of report.--Each report required under this subsection
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
(e) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) representatives of the United States shall use the voice
and vote of the United States in all international organizations,
as appropriate, to advocate for the expulsion of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea from such organizations, until such time
as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea meets its commitments
under the United Nations Security Council resolutions referred to
in subsection (a)(1); and
(2) the Secretary of State should work to induce countries to
meet their commitments under the United Nations Security Council
resolutions referred to in subsection (a)(1), including by
considering appropriate adjustments to the diplomatic posture and
foreign assistance of the United States with governments that the
Secretary has determined are noncooperative with respect to
implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions
referred to in subsection (a)(1).
SEC. 211. NEW ZEALAND.
The United States Government is committed to--
(1) the Wellington Declaration, signed on November 5, 2010,
which reaffirmed close ties and outlined future practical
cooperation between the United States and New Zealand;
(2) the Washington Declaration, signed on June 19, 2012, which
strengthened the defense relationship by providing a framework and
strategic guidance for security cooperation and defense dialogues;
and
(3) all related and subsequent bilateral and security
agreements and arrangements between the United States and New
Zealand concluded on or before the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 212. THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.
(a) In General.--It is the sense of Congress that the United States
should--
(1) support strong United States engagement with the nations of
the South Pacific, including Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands,
the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu;
(2) deepen its cooperation with the nations of the South
Pacific in areas of mutual interest, including--
(A) fisheries and marine resource conservation;
(B) environmental challenges and resilience;
(C) global health;
(D) development and trade; and
(E) people-to-people ties; and
(3) continue to provide assistance to the Pacific Islands, as
appropriate, to support the rule of law, good governance, and
economic development.
(b) United States-Compacts of Free Association.--It is the sense of
Congress that the Compacts of Free Association entered between the
United States and the Freely Associated States (Republic of Marshall
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of
Palau)--
(1) enhance the strategic posture of the United States in the
Western Pacific;
(2) reinforce United States regional commitment;
(3) preempt potential adversaries from establishing positional
advantage; and
(4) further self-governance, economic development, and self-
sufficiency of the Freely Associated States.
SEC. 213. FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION AND OVERFLIGHT; PROMOTION OF
INTERNATIONAL LAW.
(a) Freedom of Navigation.--It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to conduct, as part of its global Freedom of Navigation
Program, regular freedom of navigation, and overflight operations
in the Indo-Pacific region, in accordance with applicable
international law; and
(2) to promote genuine multilateral negotiations to peacefully
resolve maritime disputes in the South China Sea, in accordance
with applicable international law.
(b) Joint Indo-Pacific Diplomatic Strategy.--It is the sense of
Congress that the President should develop a diplomatic strategy that
includes working with United States allies and partners to conduct
joint maritime training and freedom of navigation operations in the
Indo-Pacific region, including the East China Sea and the South China
Sea, in support of a rules-based international system benefitting all
countries.
SEC. 214. COMBATING TERRORISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate
committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(D) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(2) ISIS.--The term ``ISIS'' means the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director of National Intelligence, in
consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and
other appropriate Federal officials, shall submit a report to the
appropriate committees of Congress that contains an assessment of the
current and future capabilities and activities of ISIS-linked, al-
Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist groups in Southeast Asia that
pose a significant threat to the United States, its allies, and its
citizens interests abroad.
(c) Elements.--The report required under subsection (b) shall
include--
(1) the current number of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and
other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters in Southeast
Asia;
(2) an estimate of the number of ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked,
and other violent extremist group-affiliated fighters expected to
return to Southeast Asia from fighting in the Middle East;
(3) an analysis of the amounts and sources of ISIS-linked, al
Qaeda-linked, and other various extremist group affiliated-fighters
in Southeast Asia;
(4) the current resources available to combat the threat of
ISIS-linked, al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist group-
affiliated fighters in Southeast Asia, and the additional resources
required to combat such threat;
(5) a detailed assessment of the capabilities of ISIS-linked,
al-Qaeda-linked, and other violent extremist group-affiliated
fighters to operate effectively in the Indo-Pacific region,
including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia;
(6) a description of the capabilities and resources of
governments in Southeast Asia to counter violent extremist groups;
and
(7) a list of additional United States resources and
capabilities that the Department of Defense and the Department of
State recommend providing to governments in Southeast Asia to
combat violent extremist groups.
SEC. 215. CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that there
should be robust cybersecurity cooperation between the United States
and nations in the Indo-Pacific region--
(1) to effectively respond to cybersecurity threats, including
state-sponsored threats;
(2) to share best practices to combat such threats;
(3) to strengthen resilience against cyberattacks,
misinformation, and propaganda; and
(4) to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 through
2023 to enhance cooperation between the United States and Indo-Pacific
nations for the purposes of combatting cybersecurity threats.
SEC. 216. NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
REGION.
(a) In General.--The United States Government--
(1) recognizes that the spread of nuclear and other weapons of
mass destruction, and their means of delivery, constitutes a threat
to international peace and security;
(2) seeks to peacefully address the unique challenge posed to
regional and global stability by the illicit use, and the
proliferation to and from North Korea, of sensitive nuclear and
missile technologies, and other weapons of mass destruction;
(3) notes efforts by China and Russia--
(A) to expand and modernize their respective nuclear
arsenals, including through significant research and
development resources in hypersonic glide vehicles and other
advanced technologies; and
(B) to pursue sales of commercial nuclear technologies; and
(4) recognizes the legitimate pursuit by many countries in the
Indo-Pacific region of nuclear energy for a variety of peaceful
applications.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States Government should undertake all reasonable and appropriate
efforts to pursue effective arms control and nonproliferation policies
in the Indo-Pacific region to limit the further spread of weapons of
mass destruction and their means of delivery.
TITLE III--PROMOTING UNITED STATES ECONOMIC INTERESTS IN THE INDO-
PACIFIC REGION
SEC. 301. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) According to the United States Chamber of Commerce, by
2030--
(A) 66 percent of the global middle class population will
be living in Asia; and
(B) 59 percent of middle class consumption will take place
in Asia.
(2) According to the Asian Development Bank--
(A) Asian countries have signed 140 bilateral or regional
trade agreements; and
(B) 75 more trade agreements with Asian countries are under
negotiation or concluded and awaiting entry into force.
(3) Free trade agreements between the United States and 3
nations in the Indo-Pacific region (Australia, Singapore, and the
Republic of Korea) have entered into force.
(4) The member states of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (referred to in this section as ``ASEAN''), as a group--
(A) represent the fifth largest economy in the world; and
(B) have a combined gross domestic product of
$2,400,000,000,000.
(5) The economy comprised of ASEAN member states grew by 66
percent between 2006 and 2015, and the total value of bilateral
trade between the United States and ASEAN member states has
increased by 78 percent since 2004.
(6) In 2015, the trade surplus of goods sold by companies in
ASEAN member states to consumers in the United States was
$77,000,000,000, while the United States 2015 trade surplus of
services provided to consumers in ASEAN member states was
$8,000,000,000.
(7) According to US-ASEAN Business Council, goods and services
exported from the United States to ASEAN member states support
550,000 jobs in the United States.
(8) According to the Business Roundtable--
(A) the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile,
Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and
Vietnam were responsible for a combined 40 percent of global
gross domestic product in 2017; and
(B) United States bilateral trade with the other nations
referred to in subparagraph (A) supports 15,600,000 jobs in the
United States.
(9) According to the United States National Security Strategy--
(A) ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ``remain
centerpieces of the Indo-Pacific's regional architecture and
platforms for promoting an order based on freedom''; and
(B) the United States will ``work with partners to build a
network of states dedicated to free markets and protected from
forces that would subvert their sovereignty.''.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that trade
between the United States and the nations in the Indo-Pacific region is
vitally important to the United States economy, United States exports,
and jobs in the United States.
SEC. 302. INDO-PACIFIC TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS,
AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC SUMMITS.
Congress supports--
(1) multilateral, bilateral, or regional trade agreements with
partners that--
(A) comply with trade obligations and respect, promote, and
strictly adhere to the rule of law; and
(B) increase United States employment and expand the
economy;
(2) formal economic dialogues that include concrete,
verifiable, and measured outcomes;
(3) negotiations under the auspices of the World Trade
Organization, including negotiations to enter into appropriate
plurilateral and sectoral agreements;
(4) full implementation of the World Trade Organization's Trade
Facilitation Agreement by Indo-Pacific countries; and
(5) the proactive, strategic, and continuing high-level use of
the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the East Asia Summit,
and the Group of 20 to pursue United States economic objectives in
the Indo-Pacific region.
SEC. 303. UNITED STATES-ASEAN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP.
The President should seek to develop to negotiate a comprehensive
economic engagement framework with the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations.
SEC. 304. TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRADE FACILITATION.
(a) In General.--The President is encouraged to produce a robust
and comprehensive trade capacity building and trade facilitation
strategy, including leveling the playing field for American companies
competing in the Indo-Pacific region.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such amounts as may be necessary to carry out subsection
(a).
SEC. 305. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION.
(a) In General.--The President should takes steps to strengthen the
enforcement of United States intellectual property laws as a top
priority, including taking all appropriate action to deter and punish
commercial cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property.
(b) Annual Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 5
years, the President shall submit a report to Congress that--
(1) describes the efforts of the United States Government to
combat intellectual property violations and commercial cyber-
enabled theft in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly the People's
Republic of China; and
(2) includes a country-by-country assessment of priority areas
for United States engagement and capacity building assistance.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the United States Trade Representative such amounts as
may be necessary to sponsor bilateral and multilateral activities
designed to build capacity in the identified priority areas described
in the annual report required under subsection (b).
SEC. 306. ENERGY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES.
(a) Indo-Pacific Energy Strategy.--
(1) Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for the following 5
years, the President shall establish a comprehensive, integrated,
multiyear strategy to encourage the efforts of Indo-Pacific
countries to implement national power strategies and cooperation
with United States energy companies and the Department of Energy
national laboratories to develop an appropriate mix of power
solutions to provide access to sufficient, reliable, and affordable
power in order to reduce poverty, drive economic growth and job
creation, and to increase energy security in the Indo-Pacific
region.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to
be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019
through 2023 to carry out paragraph (1).
(b) Reliable Energy Partnerships.--It is the sense of Congress that
the United States should explore opportunities to partner with the
private sector and multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank
and the Asian Development Bank, to promote universal access to reliable
electricity in the Indo-Pacific region, including Myanmar (historically
known as ``Burma'').
SEC. 307. LOWER MEKONG INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State, in cooperation with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, should increase regional engagement in the areas of
environment, health, education, and infrastructure development with the
Lower Mekong countries, including--
(1) assisting in the development of programs that focus on
forecasting environmental challenges and resilience;
(2) assisting with transnational cooperation on sustainable
uses of forest and water resources with the goal of preserving the
biodiversity of the Mekong Basin and access to safe drinking water;
(3) assisting with education enrollment and broadband internet
connectivity, particularly English training and connectivity in
rural communities; and
(4) improving global health in the Lower Mekong countries,
including--
(A) reducing the HIV/AIDS infection rate; and
(B) helping regional partners to track and treat malaria
and tuberculosis.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through 2023, the
Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, shall submit a report to
Congress that includes--
(1) a list and evaluation of Lower Mekong Initiative activities
since its inception in 2009;
(2) a strategy for any increased regional engagement and
measures of success for the activities described in paragraph (1);
and
(3) an accounting of funds used to execute Lower Mekong
Initiative activities.
SEC. 308. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCE
CONSERVATION.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should encourage the
governments of countries in the Indo-Pacific region and United States
private sector interests with operations and investments in the region
to deploy agriculture practices that--
(1) conserve natural resources; and
(2) preserve culturally and ecological valuable lands and water
bodies.
SEC. 309. SENSE OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN'S ECONOMIC RIGHTS.
It is the sense of the Congress that the United States should--
(1) support activities that secure private property rights and
land tenure for women in developing countries in Asia, including--
(A) establishing legal frameworks to give women equal
rights to own, register, use, profit from, and inherit land and
property;
(B) improving legal literacy to enable women to exercise
the rights described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) increasing the capacity of law enforcement and
community leaders to enforce such rights;
(2) work with Asian civil society, governments, and
multilateral organizations to increase the capability of
disadvantaged women and girls in Asia--
(A) to realize their rights;
(B) to determine their life outcomes;
(C) to assume leadership roles; and
(D) to influence decision-making in their households,
communities, and societies; and
(3) seek to expand access to appropriate financial products and
services for women-owned micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises
in Asia.
TITLE IV--PROMOTING UNITED STATES VALUES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION
SEC. 401. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The promotion of human rights and respect for democratic
values in the Indo-Pacific region is in the United States' national
security interest.
(2) Continued support for human rights, democratic values, and
good governance is critical to a successful United States
diplomatic strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
(3) Strong support for human rights and democracy in the Indo-
Pacific region is critical to efforts to reduce poverty, build rule
of law, combat corruption, reduce the allure of extremism, and
promote economic growth.
(4) There are serious concerns with the rule of law and civil
liberties in Cambodia, China, North Korea, Laos, Thailand, and
Vietnam, which have all been identified by Freedom House as ``Not
Free''.
(5) There have been unacceptable human rights developments in--
(A) Burma (Myanmar), which has been identified by Freedom
House as ``Partly Free'', and the Department of State has
declared that the violence against the Rohingya constitutes
ethnic cleansing;
(B) the Philippines, which has been identified by Freedom
House as ``Partly Free'', and where there are continued
disturbing reports of extra-judicial killings; and
(C) China, where forced disappearances, extralegal
detentions, invasive and omnipresent surveillance, and lack of
due process in judicial proceedings remain troublesome.
(6) according to the National Security Strategy, the United
States--
(A) will ``support, with our words and actions, those who
live under oppressive regimes and who seek freedom, individual
dignity, and the rule of law'';
(B) ``may use diplomacy, sanctions, and other tools to
isolate states and leaders who threaten our interests and whose
actions run contrary to our values''; and
(C) ``will support efforts to advance women's equality,
protect the rights of women and girls, and promote women and
youth empowerment programs''.
SEC. 402. TRAFFICKING-IN-PERSONS.
The President is encouraged to pursue additional efforts to combat
trafficking in persons and human slavery in the Indo-Pacific region.
SEC. 403. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) United States Government officials should lead by example--
(A) by continuing to advocate for freedom of the press in
the Indo-Pacific region; and
(B) by engaging with the press corps at every appropriate
opportunity; and
(2) the United States should advocate and support a Ministerial
to Advance Press Freedom in the Indo-Pacific to convene government
and civil society, including journalists, to discuss and address
the challenges facing press freedom in the Indo-Pacific region.
SEC. 404. DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR PERSONNEL.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) United States embassies and consulates in the Indo-Pacific
region should have personnel, as appropriate, who are dedicated to
reporting on and advancing United States democracy, human rights,
labor, anti-corruption, and good governance policy interests; and
(2) appropriate resources should be made available to carry out
such activities.
SEC. 405. BILATERAL AND REGIONAL DIALOGUES; PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE
ENGAGEMENT.
The Secretary of State should, as appropriate--
(1) establish high-level bilateral and regional dialogues with
nations in the Indo-Pacific region regarding human rights and
religious freedom violations;
(2) establish or support robust, people-to-people exchange
programs in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly programs engaging
young leaders; and
(3) establish educational exchanges and capacity-building
programs emphasizing civil society development.
SEC. 406. ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS
STRATEGY.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the United
States should continue to work with ASEAN to improve the capacity of
ASEAN to address human rights, democracy, and good governance issues in
Southeast Asia.
(b) Strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, after consultation with
the Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall submit a strategy to the appropriate congressional
committees to increase cooperation with ASEAN to promote human rights,
democracy, and good governance in Southeast Asia.
(c) Contents.--The strategy submitted under subsection (b) should
include--
(1) an assessment of the types of United States Government
resources available to support increased cooperation; and
(2) an assessment to identify entities within ASEAN that the
United States could potentially support or partner with to promote
human rights, democracy, and good governance in Southeast Asia.
SEC. 407. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION TO NORTH KOREA.
The President is encouraged to continue efforts to enhance freedom
of information access with regard to North Korea.
SEC. 408. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS AND
SUSPENSION OF UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE.
(a) Sanctions.--It is the sense of Congress that the President
should impose targeted financial penalties and visa ban sanctions, in
accordance with applicable law and other relevant authorities, on any
individual or entity that--
(1) violates human rights or religious freedoms; or
(2) engages in censorship activities.
(b) Suspension of Foreign Assistance.--It is the sense of Congress
that the President should, in accordance with applicable law,
terminate, suspend, or otherwise alter United States economic
assistance to any country that has engaged in serious violations of
human rights or religious freedoms.
SEC. 409. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Promotion of Democracy in the Indo-Pacific Region.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$210,000,000, for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to
promote democracy, strengthen civil society, human rights, rule of
law, transparency, and accountability in the Indo-Pacific region,
including for universities, civil society, and multilateral
institutions that are focusing on education awareness, training,
and capacity building.
(2) Democracy in china.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall be made available for United States Government
efforts, led by the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor, to promote democracy, the rule of law, and
human rights in the People's Republic of China.
(3) Tibet.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1)
shall be made available for nongovernmental organizations to
support activities preserving cultural traditions and promoting
sustainable development, education, and environmental conservation
in Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in other
Tibetan communities in China, India, and Nepal.
SEC. 410. INDO-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS.
(a) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``human rights
defenders'' means individuals, working alone or in groups, who
nonviolently advocate for the promotion and protection of universally
recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms if the advocacy of
such issues may result in the risk of safety or life.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that human
rights defenders in the Indo-Pacific region have been facing increased
difficulties with the rise of unprecedented crackdowns and conflicts.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023
to provide critical assistance to human rights defenders through the
Department of State's Human Rights Defenders Fund.
(d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter through 2023, the
Secretary of State, in cooperation with the Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development, shall submit a report to
Congress that includes--
(1) a list and evaluation of the Human Rights Defenders Fund
activities since its inception;
(2) a strategy for any increased regional engagement and
measures of success for the activities described in paragraph (1);
and
(3) an accounting of funds used to execute the Human Rights
Defender Fund activities.
SEC. 411. YOUNG LEADERS PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE INITIATIVES.
There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to support Indo-Pacific young leaders
initiatives, including the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative,
the ASEAN Youth Volunteers Program, and other people-to-people exchange
programs that focus on building the capacity of democracy, human
rights, and good governance activists in the Indo-Pacific region.
SEC. 412. SAVINGS PROVISION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing the use of
military force.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.