Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Indo-Pacific Treaty Organization Act. This legislation will establish a task force to analyze the security situation in the Indo-Pacific and determine whether a NATO-like coalition  between the United States and Indo-Pacific partners would be an effective deterrent to aggression emanating from China and North Korea.

“Earlier this year, I joined Chairman McCaul and other members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee for a bipartisan congressional delegation trip to South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan,” said Congressman Mike Lawler. “Our meetings with partners and allies underscored the growing concern over China’s aggression throughout the region.”

“Our adversaries - China, Russia, Iran and North Korea - have forged an unholy alliance to disrupt and destabilize the globe,” Congressman Lawler continued. “It’s crucial that the democracies of the region and world work in unison to combat this rising threat.” 

“A collective security agreement has the potential to deter aggression and protect the forces of democracy in the Indo-Pacific,” concluded Congressman Lawler. “I look forward to continuing the dialogue with our partners and working with my colleagues to get this important legislation passed.” 

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.