US House passes Quad bill. What you need to know
The bill states that joint cooperation between the US, Australia, India and Japan should be strengthened.
Washington:
The US House of Representatives has passed the Quad bill that directs the Biden administration to establish a Quad intra-parliamentary working group to facilitate closer cooperation between the US, Australia, India and Japan.
Passed by 39 votes against roll call vote, the ‘Strengthen US-Australia-India-Japan Cooperation’ or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) bill seeks to strengthen joint cooperation between the US, Australia, India and Japan. should go. ,
It directs the State Department to submit to Congress, within 180 days of enactment of the bill, a strategy to enhance engagement and cooperation with the Quad, and with Japan, Australia, and India, within 60 days of its enactment. Enter the conversation. Quad Intra-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation.
It would also establish a US Group, consisting of up to 24 members of Congress, to represent the US in the working group. It will also establish guidelines for annual meetings and group leadership. Under the bill, the group would be required to submit an annual report to congressional foreign affairs committees.
Two Democratic lawmakers voted against the bill. One of them is Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minneapolis.
The bill, introduced by Congressman Gregory Meeks, requires the State Department to report to Congress on a strategy to strengthen engagement and cooperation with the Quad.
The strategy will address cooperation on issues including (1) preparedness for the next pandemic, (2) co-development of new innovative technologies, and (3) deepening economic engagement and integration.
Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue among the United States, Japan, Australia and India has been integral to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and advancing US interests in the region.
“I am proud to advance my legislation, Strengthening the Quad, through the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia, and India will promote a free and open India -Pacific, advancing American interests in the region and strengthening our national security.
“My legislation works to ensure the success and longevity of the Quad by calling on the State Department to develop a strategy to strengthen democratic coordination in the Indo-Pacific region, and to facilitate greater engagement and cooperation among the four “Establishes a Quad intra-parliamentary working group. legislature,” Meeks said in a statement.
“With authoritarianism on the rise around the world, it is vital that our democracies work together to demonstrate the success of open societies and markets, promote democratic governance and international rules, and deliver real results,” he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)