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Public Law115th CongressInternational Affairs
S. 2736Became Law

Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 31, 2018)

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.

What just happenedDec 31, 2018

Became Public Law No: 115-409.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO](R-CO)Sponsor
11 cosponsors5 D6 R
Read on Congress.gov
11cosponsors1committees29actions1amendments1related bills99subjects
  1. Dec 31, 2018President

    Became Public Law No: 115-409.

  2. Dec 31, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 115-409.

  3. Dec 31, 2018President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 31, 2018BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 27, 2018Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 27, 2018President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 19, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Dec 19, 2018ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 2736 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7865)

  9. Dec 19, 2018NotUsed20500

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 2736 by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7865)

  10. Dec 13, 2018Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

  11. Dec 12, 2018FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  12. Dec 12, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10130-10136)

  13. Dec 12, 2018Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H10130-10136)

  14. Dec 12, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2736.

  15. Dec 12, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10130-10138)

  16. Dec 12, 2018FloorH30300

    Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  17. Dec 6, 2018FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  18. Dec 6, 2018FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  19. Dec 6, 2018Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  20. Dec 4, 2018Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7285-7291)

  21. Dec 4, 2018Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7285-7291)

  22. Dec 4, 2018Floor

    The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7278-7284)

  23. Dec 4, 2018Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7278-7291)

  24. Oct 3, 2018Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 616.

  25. Oct 3, 2018Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  26. Oct 3, 2018Committee14000

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  27. Sep 26, 2018Committee

    Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  28. Apr 24, 2018IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

    Foreign Relations Committee
  29. Apr 24, 2018IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawDec 31, 201849

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.

Introduced in SenateApr 24, 2018

Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018

This bill provides for the promotion of U.S. values and diplomatic, security, and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. It includes statements of policy and measures concerning

  • security assistance and alliances;
  • the U.S. relationship with China, India, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations;
  • the U.S. military presence in the region, as well as the pursuit of arms control;
  • security partnerships in southeast Asia;
  • the commitment to Taiwan;
  • a strategy regarding North Korea;
  • trade agreements and facilitation; and
  • the promotion of human rights and democracy in the region.