Bill > S2380

This bill directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to seek to establish an Economic Security Working Group within the Quad (a strategic partnership between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India) to address regional economic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The proposed working group would serve multiple purposes, including coordinating efforts to secure critical infrastructure, bolster supply chain resilience, conduct crisis simulation exercises, and create an emergency response mechanism to address economic coercion and supply chain disruptions in sectors critical to national security. The bill requires the United States to be represented by a senior official at the Deputy Assistant Secretary level and encourages engagement with regional partners to help improve their economic security. The Secretary of State will be required to submit reports to congressional committees identifying critical supply chains and potential regional partners, and the State and Commerce Departments will jointly provide annual reports on the efforts to establish the working group. Importantly, the bill specifies that no additional funds will be authorized, and the work will be carried out using existing budget allocations. The bill also emphasizes the strategic importance of the Quad partnership, highlighting its potential to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region and address shared economic security challenges.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2380/all-info