Reaffirming the Ties Between the United States and the Philippines
Floor Speech
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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 837 which reaffirms the ties between the United States and the Philippines.
This resolution highlights the important partnership between our two nations and makes it clear that we will firmly stand by our allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
I also thank the gentleman from Guam, Mr. Moylan, for both leading this resolution and for co-chairing the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus with me.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet with the President of the Philippines, along with members of the Philippine House of Representatives, to discuss the important bilateral relationship between our two countries.
These conversations between Members of the United States Congress and elected officials in the Philippines solidify the bonds between our two nations and help identify areas of mutual interest and concern in the Indo-Pacific region. In these discussions we emphasized our shared vision of keeping peace and freedom, particularly in the South China Sea.
We are putting these goals into action. Earlier this year, Congress passed the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, recommending $500 million in foreign military financing go to the Philippines.
Following the passage of the amendment, Secretaries Blinken and Austin announced $500 million in military funding to help monetize the Philippines military and Coast Guard and boost collaboration.
This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty if Philippine assets are attacked in the South China Sea and welcomes a swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
I was pleased to see the Biden administration expand the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to include four new military training sites. This will allow the United States and the Philippines to better address shared challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen the ties between our countries. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
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