Congresswoman Ann Wagner’s Southeast Asia Strategy Act Passes House
The bill would enhance U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia and assure critical partners in the region of the United States’ strong support
For Immediate Release
April 19, 2021Contact:
Arthur Bryant 202-225-1621
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), released the following statement after the House passed her legislation the Southeast Asia Strategy Act:
“Congress’s strong, bipartisan support for U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia sends an unmistakable message of American resolve and leadership in the region. Southeast Asian states are increasingly vital to the prosperity of the U.S. economy, generating hundreds of thousands of American jobs and investing more in our economy than China and India combined. This critical legislation will create a strong foundation for the future of U.S.-Southeast Asian relations.
“China has been eager to undermine U.S. interests in the region, is aggressively working to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, and has ramped up disinformation campaigns to coerce countries to accept its agenda. The Southeast Asia Strategy Act will help address those exploitative actions and ensure that the United States develops and communicates a coherent regional strategy that addresses all aspects of the relationship, from trade and humanitarian goals to diplomatic and security arrangements.”
The Southeast Asia Strategy Act would deepen U.S. engagement with ASEAN and its member states by directing the United States to develop a coherent and clearly communicated regional strategy that addresses all aspects of the relationship, from trade and humanitarian goals to diplomatic and security arrangements.
Read the one pager here.
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Arthur Bryant
Communications Director
Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-2)
2350 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
