Rep. Stansbury Highlights National Security Interest in Freely Associated States at Oversight Hearing

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), spoke in favor of renewing the financial provision in the Compacts of Free Association with the Freely Associated States (FAS), highlighting the value of the relationship for national security and economic opportunity. The Congresswoman advocated for continued engagement with the FAS as a way to diminish the risk of China asserting further influence in the Pacific.  

In regard to the FAS, Rep. Stansbury explained, “the safety and well being of our service members and our broader communities and allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan are actively imperiled by expanding Chinese influence. Maintaining strong relationships with the Freely Associated States is essential to countering this influence, and to maintaining peace and economic stability abroad and at home.” 

You can read Rep. Stansbury’s full transcript below. 

Rep. Stansbury: Thank you, Madam Chair, and I want to welcome honorable Yun, Mr. Nicola and also Dr. Mohandas, thank you so much for being here today. And Madam Chair and Mr. Ranking Member, I am truly honored to serve on this special task force. Obviously, the national security not only of the United States, but of the globe depends on our ability to address issues in the South Pacific. And I was heartened last week in our bipartisan conversations with our panelists, and with the administration to hear that both sides of the aisle are deeply committed to getting these compacts finished to getting them across the finish line and the authorization and to ensure that the United States makes good on its financial commitments through these compacts, and that both Republicans and Democrats are committed to getting this done. And I want folks out there to know that that truly is our commitment on a bipartisan basis.  

We're here today to discuss not only the substance of the compacts, which have been deftly negotiated by the State Department and our special envoy, because of the implications that it has for our national security, especially as China continues to make a concerted effort to undermine long standing security relationships and economic relationships in the Pacific in order to gain advantages, which as we know, are advantages in the political, economic and military sphere.  

Now, New Mexico, my home state has a strong interest in these issues, not only because many of my constituents play a vital role in serving our country as service members, but also because the airmen and women at Kirtland National Air Force Base, as well as Sandia National Labs play a vital role in helping to support our missions in the South Pacific. And of course, many New Mexicans serve in the Pacific and have for many generations. So, I do not take these issues lightly. And the safety and well-being of our service members and our broader communities and allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan are actively imperiled by expanding Chinese influence. Maintaining strong relationships with the Freely Associated States is essential to countering this influence, and to maintaining peace and economic stability abroad and at home.  

Now, it's clear that China is gearing up to take advantage of strains on relationships between the US and Freely Associated States, and we have no time to lose. And in fact, as has been stated here this morning, we have until September 30th to get these compacts done. So, I want to just take a moment to ask our panelists a few questions. Ambassador Yun, how would the expiration of these compacts with the Freely Associated States impact our national security? Can you please explain some of the more nuanced aspects of how this affects security in the region, how that affects the United States position in the South Pacific and how that affects global security. 

Ambassador Joseph Yun: Thank you, Representative Stansbury. I really don't believe that this is a question of three compact states turning around and giving security access to China. It's not that you know, but rather, it is the case that the US will lose credibility within the region and beyond. And I think there will be erosion that will start if we don't pass, and that erosion will become a cliff sooner or later. That date might not be October 1, but it will certainly be a future date. Compacts are in these Freely Associated States are really bedrock cornerstone, whatever you want to call it. I have worked with the Alliance relationship with Japan and South Korea. This is beyond that. Beyond that, and we will be imperiling our own influence and control of northern half of the Pacific. Thank you.  

Rep. Stansbury: Thank you, Ambassador and Dr. Mohandas, you touched on this. But can you please help us better understand the role that the compacts and our relationships with the Freely Associated States play in our ability to maintain military readiness in the Pacific? 

Dr. Siddharth Mohandas: Absolutely, Congressman, we have two fundamental benefits. From our compact relationships. One is unfettered access the ability to freely operate in critical terrain in the Indo Pacific, and exclusive access, the ability to deny access to adversaries. Those combined allow US forces to maintain readiness to be positioned forward in a way that strengthens deterrence and protects the homeland.  

Rep. Stansbury: Thank you, and Madam Chairwoman, I understand I'm out of time. But I just want to say I'm deeply committed to making sure that we get these compacts done. We find the funding to make good on our promises and commitments to the Freely Associated States. And I appreciate your leadership on these issues. Thank you. I yield back.

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