PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · 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;
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
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.
People & committees
Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] · R–CO
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 115-409.
Became Public Law No: 115-409.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 2736 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7865)
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 2736 by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7865)
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H10130-10136)
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)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2736.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10130-10138)
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7285-7291)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7285-7291)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7278-7284)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7278-7291)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 616.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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