A bill to require a South China Sea diplomatic engagement strategy, and for other purposes.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4600 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4600 To require a South China Sea diplomatic engagement strategy, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 20, 2026 Ms. Duckworth (for herself and Mr. Curtis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require a South China Sea diplomatic engagement strategy, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``South China Sea Strategy Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. UNITED STATES POLICY. It is the policy of the United States-- (1) to support the importance of the freedom of navigation, overflight, and unfettered commerce in the South China Sea, in a manner consistent with international law to preserve United States economic interests in the region; (2) to commit to a rules-based approach to resolving maritime disputes; (3) to counter efforts by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to unilaterally change the status quo and treat the South China Sea as its unilateral dominion, undermining regional stability and contravening the PRC's prior commitments to resolve disputes peacefully and through appropriate legal venues; and (4) to engage with allies and partners in a concerted, coordinated manner to support a strategic, consistent approach to diplomatic engagement on issues and crises that arise that affect United States interests in the South China Sea, including to ensure the safety of United States citizens in the region. SEC. 3. SOUTH CHINA SEA DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this