Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations with Asean Act

Floor Speech

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Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 406) to provide for the treatment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as an international organization for purposes of the International Organizations Immunities Act, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 406

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations with ASEAN Act'' or the ``PARTNER with ASEAN Act''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION TO THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS.

The provisions of the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.) may be extended to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions as such provisions may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation.

Mr. Speaker, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, is of immense strategic and economic importance to the United States of America.

This powerhouse region joins the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions and serves as a conduit for global trade. Southeast Asian states are increasingly vital to the prosperity of the U.S. economy, generating hundreds of thousands of American jobs and investing more in our economy than China and India combined.

Home to one of the world's largest and youngest populations and numerous key shipping routes, ASEAN represents the future of growth in the Indo-Pacific. It is an important region that cannot be forgotten and is certainly not forgotten by the People's Republic of China.

The PRC is actively looking for ways to expand their footprint in ASEAN, whether it be through infrastructure projects, predatory lending, or police training. A growing number of Southeast Asian countries no longer believe that China's intentions are benign. Our partners are seeking assurance of U.S. support as they try to maintain economic independence from China and defend their territorial claims in the South China Sea.

To strengthen our relationship with Southeast Asian Governments and counter PRC influence, we must find ways to deepen our relationship with the ASEAN.

The United States has worked closely with ASEAN for more than four decades, and 15 years ago, we became the first nonmember to name an ambassador to ASEAN.

This bill will build on that legacy of cooperation and will enhance ties between the United States and this critical region of the world. It will accord ASEAN representatives in the United States the same diplomatic immunities we provide other regional organizations, such as the EU or the Organization of American States. This is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to that organization.

I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro). I would also thank my good friend from California, Young Kim, for introducing this important bill. I have the great privilege of being co-chair and cofounder with Mr. Castro of the ASEAN Caucus.

I am very sorry that Mr. Castro is unable to join us on the floor today but want to convey our prayers and very best wishes for his full and speedy recovery, Mr. Speaker.

This bill received unanimous bipartisan support during committee markup and deserves our full support today.

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Mrs. WAGNER.

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Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, we have a national interest in sustaining U.S. leadership in Southeast Asia, supporting human rights and respect for democratic freedoms, and articulating our strategic priorities.

We will find willing partners in our many friends and allies in the region who share our grave concerns regarding China's growing power, but we must demonstrate that these partnerships are a key U.S. priority.

H.R. 406 sends an important message to the region: The United States values its important relationship with ASEAN, and we strongly support its mission to promote stability and growth in Southeast Asia.

I urge my colleagues to join me, Representative Young Kim, Representative Castro, and Ranking Member Meeks, along with Chairman McCaul, in supporting H.R. 406.

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Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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