During a Foreign Relations Committee hearing with Secretary Rubio, Senator Curtis, chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, emphasized the importance of countering the Chinese Communist Party’s growing influence in the Western Hemisphere and supporting Taiwan’s diplomatic relationships throughout the region.

Senators Curtis and Duckworth introduced two bipartisan bills aimed at improving coordination between the United States and its partners in the Indo-Pacific, which would strengthen security both in the region and in the U.S. Amid increasing aggression from the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea, the senators’ bills would help ensure the Department of State prioritizes diplomatic engagement and improve the Department of War’s management of tensions in the region before they grow into full-blown crises that would require military action.

Senator Curtis, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, cosponsored the Pacific Promotion of Workable Energy Resources Act, bipartisan legislation to promote geothermal exploration and production in the Indo-Pacific by leveraging the United States’ expertise as the world leader in geothermal electricity generation capacity. The bill was introduced by Senators Schatz and McCormick and is also cosponsored by Senator Coons.