Authorizes New Funds and Programs to Strengthen US Alliances and to Counter Chinese Influence in the Indo-Pacific

Washington, DC – The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018, authored by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Ed Markey (D-MA), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Monday. This legislation serves as a generational policy framework to enhance U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and to demonstrate a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based international order. 

In the 115th Congress, Gardner and Markey held five hearings in their Subcommittee to inform ARIA. The hearing series, titled, “American Leadership in the Asia-Pacific,” included hearings on security challenges, economic opportunities, promoting human rights and the rule of law, U.S.-China relations, and Administration views.

“Our nation took a huge step to ensure the United States remains the pre-eminent Pacific power – and primary supporter of the international order – for generations to come,” said Senators Gardner and Markey. “We are proud that our legislation to establish a long-term strategy in Asia has been signed into law. ARIA allows the United States government to speak with one voice to advance our nation’s national security and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific by establishing forward-looking policies, authorizing additional resources to strengthen our alliances and partnerships in the region, and speaking with moral clarity on fundamental American values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”

Read more on ARIA legislation here.

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