Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9508 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 9508

 To require Homeland Security Investigations to establish the Pacific
 Islands Liaison Initiative to strengthen the United States strategic
partnerships and ability to combat transnational criminal organizations
             in the Pacific region, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 29, 2026

 Mr. Case (for himself and Mr. Moylan) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition
  to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To require Homeland Security Investigations to establish the Pacific
 Islands Liaison Initiative to strengthen the United States strategic
partnerships and ability to combat transnational criminal organizations
             in the Pacific region, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Pacific Islands Liaison Initiative
Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PACIFIC ISLANDS LIAISON INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Executive Associate Director of Homeland
Security Investigations shall establish the Pacific Islands Liaison
Initiative (in this section referred to as the ``Initiative''). The
Initiative shall be carried out by Homeland Security Investigations
Honolulu, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations Guam,
Homeland Security Investigations Attache Canberra, Homeland Security
Investigations International Operations, and any other relevant offices
of Homeland Security Investigations the Executive Associate Director
determines appropriate.
    (b) Activities.--The Initiative shall carry out the following:
            (1) Strengthen the United States partnerships with Pacific
        Island countries by enhancing collaboration on law enforcement
        and security through the following:
                    (A) Regular visits by United States law enforcement
                personnel.
                    (B) Conducting joint operations throughout the
                region.
            (2) Enhance the capacity of Pacific Island countries to
        combat transnational criminal organizations, including through
        the provision of training, technical assistance, and resource
        sharing.
            (3) Support the forward deployment of United States law
        enforcement personnel to a regional hub in the Pacific Islands
        to enable rapid and frequent access to and engagement with
        Pacific Island countries.
            (4) Counter malign influence in the Pacific region by
        addressing transnational criminal threats and promoting shared
        values, such as the rule of law, transparency, and good
        governance.
            (5) Position the United States as the partner of choice for
        Pacific Island countries by providing sustained support,
        resources, and expertise to address shared challenges.
            (6) Promote regional stability and economic development by
        fostering secure and resilient Pacific Island communities
        through the development of infrastructure, technology, and
        other resources that support regional security and economic
        resilience.
    (c) Personnel.--The Executive Associate Director of Homeland
Security Investigations shall appoint not fewer than four full-time
equivalent personnel for the Initiative, to be overseen by an Assistant
Special Agent in Charge who is stationed at Homeland Security
Investigations Honolulu. Two of such personnel shall be stationed at
Homeland Security Investigations Honolulu and two of such personnel
shall be stationed at Homeland Security Investigations Guam.
    (d) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the establishment
of the Initiative and annually thereafter, the Executive Associate
Director of Homeland Security Investigations shall submit to Congress a
report detailing the activities of the Initiative during the
immediately preceding year, including the following:
            (1) A detailed overview of how appropriated funds were
        obligated and expended.
            (2) A description of the impact of the Initiative on
        countering malign influence in the Pacific region and
        strengthening regional security.
            (3) The effectiveness of the Initiative's capacity-building
        efforts in Pacific Island countries.
            (4) Recommendations for additional resources or legislative
        actions to advance United States strategic objectives in the
        Pacific.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2034
to carry out this section.
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