H.R. 562 119th Congress House

BLUE Pacific Act

Official title: To advance a comprehensive, long-term United States strategy and policy for the Pacific Islands, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 20, 2025 Introduced by: Ed Case Democratic · Hawaii See on congress.gov

International Affairs Computer security and identity theftDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadEconomic developmentEmergency planning and evacuation

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FijiForeign aid and international reliefInfrastructure developmentInternational organizations and cooperationInternet, web applications, social mediaMarshall IslandsNew ZealandPapua New GuineaTelephone and wireless communicationU.S. International Development Finance CorporationVanuatuWorld health

Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Jan 20, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jan 20, 2025

Introduced in House

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What's happening now January 20, 2025

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act or the BLUE Pacific Act

This bill requires or authorizes activities to strengthen U.S. relations with Pacific Islands countries, which include the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.

The bill authorizes various activities in the Pacific Islands, including to

assist in improving public health outcomes and build public health capacity;
assist in promoting the dissemination of free and accurate information;
promote educational and professional development for young adult leaders and professionals;
provide assistance to promote sustainable and quality basic education;
assist with workforce development;
build the capacity of local civilian and national security institutions;
expand trade and promote regional development;
enhance preparedness for and resilience to natural disasters and other emergencies;
support sustainable fisheries policies and marine biodiversity conservation;
support expanded access to broadband and telecommunications infrastructure; and
support cybersecurity, including by assisting with development and implementation of incident response plans.

The bill also requires (1) the Department of State to help Pacific Island countries access development support from international organizations, (2) the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to prioritize efforts to enter into investment incentive agreements with Pacific Islands countries, and (3) the Department of Commerce to expand the presence of the U.S. Commercial Service and increase the number foreign commercial service officers in the Pacific Islands.

The President may extend certain diplomatic privileges, exemptions, and immunities to the Pacific Islands Forum, an international organization of 18 countries in the Pacific.

Bill text 1 version