Young’s Pacific Islands Embassies Act Becomes Law

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Pacific Islands Embassy Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through increased American diplomacy in the Pacific, is now law. The legislation establishes physical U.S. Embassies on the Pacific Island nations of the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Tonga, and authorizes expanded physical presence on Vanuatu to reinforce American leadership in the Pacific region.

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) were the Senate sponsors of the bill. This legislation was included as an amendment to the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law on December 23, 2022.  

“The Indo-Pacific is a region of active competition with China, and our Pacific Island partners are especially vulnerable to Chinese coercion. This new law will strengthen our diplomatic presence in the region and signal our resolve to our partners and allies,” said Senator Young.   

“Strong U.S. diplomacy in the Pacific is essential. We brought Democrats and Republicans together to establish a robust physical diplomatic presence in these strategic island nations,” said Senator Ossoff.