Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 406, the PARTNER with ASEAN Act, introduced by Mr. Castro and Mrs. Kim. Of course, I join with Mrs. Wagner in wishing Mr. Castro a speedy recovery and return to this body very soon. This legislation will solidify this body's strong bipartisan commitment to deepening our longstanding cooperation with Southeast Asia and facilitate stronger people-to-people ties with this vast, diverse region. Southeast Asia is vital to the United States national interests and strategic priorities. The 10 Southeast Asian nations that comprise the important regional body of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, have an outsized role in shaping crucial political, economic, and security developments in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The United States has long recognized ASEAN's central role in promoting peace, security, and stability in the region. This bill would allow us to deepen our collaboration and partnership on shared challenges. H.R. 406 underscores the importance of the United States and ASEAN's partnership by authorizing that ASEAN be designated as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and immunities consistent with the International Organizations Immunities Act.…”