Radewagen leads oversight hearing examining implementation of COFA

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Delegate Uifa’atali Amata Radewagen (R-A. Samoa) last Tuesday led the Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs’ oversight hearing on the implementation of the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024.

Radewagen said, “Congress’ timely passage of the COFA Amendments Act and successful renewal of the COFA agreements speaks to the U.S. commitment to preserving our special relationship with our FAS allies and to countering the maligned activities of the CCP; however, there is still more left to be done. The U.S. must remain committed to following through on obligations promised under the COFA Amendments Act.”

“I am therefore gravely concerned to see that there are several key provisions of the COFA Amendments Act that have not been implemented in a timely manner consistent with the clearly expressed intent of Congress and agreements signed by the President,” she continued. “Oversight and accountability will ensure that the COFA agreements continue to serve as the pillar of our relationship with the FAS for the decades to come, signaling to the region that the U.S. remains a reliable and committed partner.”

Congress successfully passed the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 in March 2024 and is conducting oversight on the implementation of the new agreement.

Tuesday’s hearing focused on the administration’s urgent need to carry out several key unfulfilled provisions of the COFA Amendments Act, including delivering veterans’ services for the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Citizens of these three countries serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and enlist at higher rates per capita than any U.S. state—much like American Samoa is known for record enlistment rates.

The administration has yet to transmit a new signed Federal Programs and Services Agreement with the Republic of Palau, even as the current FPSA expires on Sept. 30, 2024. Additionally, the administration has not completed FPSA negotiations with the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

In addition, the administration must formally convene the Interagency Group authorized by Congress to improve interagency coordination and communication on COFA implementation. As Tuesday’s hearing made clear, implementing the COFA agreements is vital to maintaining the United States’ partnership with its allies in the Indo-Pacific and deterring the Chinese Communist Party’s increasing aggression in the region.

The hearing allowed members to hear directly from administration officials how the Biden-Harris administration plans to address and end delays in these important responsibilities under the COFA Amendments Act of 2024. The Subcommittee also heard from the FAS Ambassadors to the U.S. on the necessity of these services and prompt implementation.

Witnesses included: Hersey Kyota, ambassador to the United States, Republic of Palau; Jackson Soram, ambassador to the United States, Federated States of Micronesia; and Charles Paul, ambassador to the United States, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Separately, the committee questioned Taylor Ruggles, senior advisor for COFA implementation, U.S. Department of State; John Brewer, director, Office of Insular and International Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior;. Anka Lee, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for East Asia, U.S. Department of Defense; and Dr. Miguel LaPuz, special assistant to the deputy under secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (PR)