Strengthening the Quad Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MEEKS. I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 5375, Strengthening the Quad Act, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, in talking about the importance of this very bill, just a few minutes ago before coming to the floor, I had a meeting with the Ambassador of Japan, Ambassador Yamada, who talked about the significance and the importance of inter-parliamentary conversation. We talked about how today freedom and democracy around the world are under threat.

According to the organization Freedom House, the world has experienced 17 consecutive years of decline in global freedom as a result of war, coup d'etats, attacks on democratic institutions, and the rise of authoritarianism.

To stem this illiberal tide, America must lead with our values and harness diplomacy like never before. This is especially important in the Indo-Pacific region where America's presence, engagement, and alliance system have maintained peace and stability for decades.

In fact, the Ambassador also talked about how much he appreciated America being in the region and staying there and working collectively together.

Today, China's growing global influence and authoritarian model is serving to undermine freedom in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

We need to work with fellow democracies in the region to showcase the heft of open markets and open societies. We need to demonstrate to the region that democracies can deliver real results.

Consecutive U.S. administrations have utilized the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Japan, Australia, and India to enhance our diplomatic and development efforts in the Indo-Pacific.

The Trump administration restarted the Quad, and President Biden elevated it to the leaders' level, supercharging Quad diplomacy.

Today, there is a strong bipartisan consensus--I worked very closely with my colleagues on the other side, especially Chairman McCaul--that the Quad is integral for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

To ensure the Quad's success and its longevity, we need a clear, long-term plan, as well as political and institutional support in all four capitals.

This is why H.R. 5375 calls on the State Department to develop a Quad strategy that focuses on building democratic coordination in the region for the long term.

The strategy and report to Congress will allow successive administrations to chart forward-looking objectives and partner with Congress to best meet them.

The bill also establishes a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate engagement and cooperation among the legislatures of the four democracies.

Inter-parliamentary engagement will facilitate legislative input and strengthen oversight to enhance the Quad's effectiveness. It will also help to sustain political support and adequate resources for the Quad in all four countries.

Plain and simple, Mr. Speaker: The world has shrunk, and working collectively together, the four countries, sharing the values that we have here in the United States for the long term is better for the security of all of us, and I believe it will make the place that we call the planet Earth a better place, a safer place, for all.

With growing instability in the Indo-Pacific and freedom under threat globally, the Quad is more important than ever for upholding regional rules and helping maintain stability.

Regional rules, high values, and standards--that is what this is all about. That is why I am thankful that we are able to work in a bipartisan manner, collectively together, speaking with one voice in the region and with our Quad partners.

I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. I am also thankful to President Biden for elevating the Quad to the leaders' level.

In less than 3 years, President Biden has held five Quad leaders summits with the leaders of Japan, Australia, and India.

In the past 3 years, the Quad has initiated cooperation in a whole host of new areas, from infrastructure development and critical and emerging technologies to maritime issues and climate change.

My bill, H.R. 5375, will ensure the Quad is effective and sustainable, not just for today, not just for tomorrow, but for the long term.

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