[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 357 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 377
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 357
Recognizing the formation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy
and urging the United States to pursue deeper ties with its member
countries.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 21, 2023
Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Risch, and
Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations
May 7, 2024
Reported by Mr. Cardin, without amendment
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the formation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy
and urging the United States to pursue deeper ties with its member
countries.
Whereas, on September 22, 2021, Presidents Luis Abinader of the Dominican
Republic, Laurentino Cortizo of the Republic of Panama, and Carlos
Alvarado of the Republic of Costa Rica met in New York during the
opening of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly to
form the Alliance for Development in Democracy (referred to in this
preamble as the ``ADD'');
Whereas the member countries of the ADD have committed to work through the ADD
to advance institutions that protect the rule of law and individual
freedoms;
Whereas the ADD promotes regional integration by strengthening cultural,
commercial, and demographic ties in the context of free, peaceful, and
democratic societies;
Whereas the Department of Defense and the Department of State have repeatedly
emphasized that the economic encroachment of the Government of the
People's Republic of China into the Western Hemisphere is coercive and
represents an acute threat to the national security of the United States
and of allies of the United States in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas, during the years preceding the date of adoption of this resolution,
United States trade has doubled with the Republic of Costa Rica and the
Republic of Panama, and tripled with the Dominican Republic;
Whereas, combined, the three founding members of the ADD represent the third-
largest trading partner of the United States in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas, on December 10, 2021, the ADD formed a business council to promote the
development of trade, investment, and commerce between the ADD and the
United States;
Whereas, on June 10, 2022, Canada, a critical ally and strategic partner of the
United States, and the members of the ADD issued a joint statement
committing to working together to address democratic challenges and to
prevent the erosion of democracy in the Western Hemisphere;
Whereas, on June 16, 2022, the Republic of Ecuador formally joined the ADD as
the fourth member of the ADD;
Whereas, on July 25, 2022, the United States and the founding members of the ADD
signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the Consultative
Dialogue on Supply Chains and Economic Growth between the United States
and the ADD to strengthen supply chain resiliency; and
Whereas the ADD has sought to comprehensively address the migratory flows that
transit though territories within the jurisdiction of the member
countries of the ADD: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates the Dominican Republic, the Republic of
Panama, and the Republic of Costa Rica for forming the Alliance
for Development in Democracy (referred to in this resolution as
the ``ADD''), and the Republic of Ecuador for ascending to the
ADD;
(2) affirms that the ADD provides a counterweight to the
growing influence of autocratic and anti-United States forces
in the Western Hemisphere;
(3) calls on the President to--
(A) pursue and prioritize engagement with the ADD
regarding the full spectrum of the national security
and economic interests of the United States in the
Western Hemisphere; and
(B) deepen regional integration on economic issues
including increasing trade, expanding market access,
and integrating investment markets throughout the
Western Hemisphere, including by pursuing nearshoring,
reshoring, and friendshoring initiatives; and
(4) calls on the President to use the diplomatic capital of
the United States, including the voice and vote of the United
States in international organizations, to support member
countries of the ADD in promoting policies that--
(A) enhance the regional integration specified in
paragraph (3)(B) by strengthening democratic
institutions and promoting economic prosperity;
(B) strengthen the critical infrastructure of those
countries, such as ports, airports, and other
logistical assets to facilitate regional trade;
(C) manage migrant flows across the Western
Hemisphere and within the jurisdiction of those
countries;
(D) counter corruption, organized crime, and
illegal drug trafficking across the Western Hemisphere
and within the jurisdiction of those countries; and
(E) strengthen the resiliency of supply chains
critical to foreign investment and trade with those
countries.
Calendar No. 377
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 357
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the formation of the Alliance for Development in Democracy
and urging the United States to pursue deeper ties with its member
countries.
_______________________________________________________________________
May 7, 2024
Reported without amendment