Duckworth, Ricketts, Bera, Wittman Launch Bipartisan, Bicameral Quad Caucus Ahead of Quad Leaders Summit
[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE)—members of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee— joined U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA-06) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) in launching the bipartisan Senate and House Quad Caucuses. This announcement comes ahead of this weekend’s Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, where President Biden will welcome heads of state from Australia, India and Japan. The Quad is committed to supporting the region’s development, stability and prosperity to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders’ ambitious efforts include major initiatives on infrastructure, maritime security, public-private partnership, climate, health, critical and emerging technologies and space.
“Over the years, the Quad has represented the United States’ steadfast commitment to the current and future prosperity, strength and stability of the Indo-Pacific region—and proof of our ability to come together with allies and partners to uphold our shared principles,” said Senator Duckworth. “In a strong display of bipartisan support for the region, I’m proud to help launch the Senate’s first-ever Quad Caucus alongside co-chair Senator Ricketts ahead of President Biden’s leaders’ summit this weekend. Together, we’re sending a strong message to our allies and partners—and our competitors—that the United States is here for the long haul.”
“Partnerships like the Quad are our greatest strength in protecting a prosperous, free and open Indo-Pacific against coercion and malign aggression The launch of the bipartisan Senate Quad Caucus should send a clear signal about the growing importance of the United States, Australia, Japan, and India working closely together in the region. We are committed to finding tangible ways to bolster collaboration with our Quad partners,” said Senator Ricketts.
“As the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly important to global security and economic prosperity, it is essential that the United States continues to strengthen relationships with our Quad partners,” said Congressman Bera. “The launch of the Quad Caucus underscores our shared commitment to fostering peace, stability, and development in the region. By promoting collaboration on key issues like maritime security, infrastructure, and climate, we can ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all.”
“Cooperation between the United States, Japan, India, and Australia is crucial for the future stability of the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Wittman. “The Quad’s support for the governance of emerging technologies, countering illegal fishing, and enhanced maritime domain awareness proves that we will build a better future for the region by working together. I am proud to join my colleagues to launch this bicameral, bipartisan Quad Caucus to foster stable collaboration for years to come.”
As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth has been a leader in strengthening relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific. In July, Duckworth led an official Senate visit to Laos and Vietnam to reinforce America’s commitment to our partners in ASEAN and strengthen U.S.-ASEAN economic ties. In May, Duckworth led a bipartisan delegation to Singapore to participate in this year’s International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue, where she and other Senators reaffirmed our nation’s strong bipartisan commitment to our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific. Last year, Duckworth met with ASEAN leaders on an official Senate visit to Indonesia to reinforce U.S. partnership throughout the region and find opportunities to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as countering climate change, increasing energy security and ensuring regional stability and freedom of navigation.
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