Sec. 5813. Renegotiation of Compacts of Free Association
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/bill/117/hr/7900/eh/section-5813·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
It is the sense of Congress as follows: The United States shares deep ties, history and interests with the Freely Associated States of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau and continues a special, unique and mutually beneficial relationship with them under the decades-old Compacts of Free Association. Under the Compacts, the United States has undertaken the responsibility and obligation to provide and ensure the security and defense of the Freely Associated States.
The Compacts are critical to the national security of the United States and its allies and partners and are the bedrock of the United States role in the Pacific. Renewal of key provisions of the Compacts, now being negotiated with each nation, is critical for regional security. Maintaining and strengthening the Compacts supports both United States national security and the United States responsibility for the security and defense of the Freely Associated States. As the Department charged with fulfilling the security mandates of the Compacts, the Department of Defense is an integral partner with the Departments of State and Interior in the Compact renewal negotiations, has a vested interest in the outcome, and should play an active role in the negotiations for their renewal.
The Department of Defense should continue its engagement in the negotiations of the Compacts of Free Association, in coordination with the Departments of State and Interior and the Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations. It would be beneficial for the Secretary of Defense to detail a senior officer — or such other personal and assistance as the Envoy may request — to the Special Presidential Envoy for Compact Negotiations to support the negotiations for the renewal of Compact provisions.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall brief the following committees on the role of the Department in the renegotiations of the Compacts and opportunities to expand its support for the negotiations: the congressional defense committees; the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.