PARTNER with ASEAN, CERN, and PIF Act

Last action on Jun 18, 2025Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Order...

Summary

S. 1579 would amend the International Organizations Immunities Act to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to three international organizations: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). These privileges include exemption from most federal taxes and customs duties, immunity from lawsuits, and streamlined travel procedures for officials and employees.

The bill aims to strengthen U.S. cooperation with key regional and scientific partners. ASEAN represents ten Southeast Asian nations including Indonesia and Vietnam. CERN is a leading physics research organization currently engaged in major research projects with U.S. institutions. PIF is a regional organization of Pacific island nations. Supporters argue the legislation would deepen partnerships in technology, scientific research, and regional security.

If enacted, the bill would have minimal fiscal impact. The Congressional Budget Office estimates forgone customs duties would total less than $500,000 annually, while tax revenue losses would be approximately $4 million over ten years. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Jun 5, 2025

HearingSenateMeeting

Jun 5, 2025 · 14:30

Business meeting to consider S.1397, to require the Secretary of State to establish a quantum cooperation program to enhance international cooperation in quantum information science, S.1463, to allow the Secretary of the Interior to enter into memoranda of understanding for the purpose of scientific and technical cooperation in the mapping of critical minerals and rare earth elements, S.1478, to provide the United States Government with additional tools to deter state and non-state actors from wrongfully detaining United States nationals for political leverage, S.1579, to provide for the treatment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as international organizations for purposes of the International Organizations Immunities Act, S.1731, to require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy in response to the global basing intentions of the People's Republic of China, S.1780, to provide for congressional oversight of security assistance to Mexico, S.1801, to facilitate the development of a whole-of-government strategy for nuclear cooperation and nuclear exports, S.Res.227, condemning Hamas for its premeditated, coordinated, and brutal terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, against Israel and demanding that Hamas immediately release all remaining hostages and return them to safety, S.1900, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to pursue more equitable treatment of Taiwan at the international financial institutions, S.1883, to require the executive branch to develop a whole-of-government strategy to disrupt growing cooperation among the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which are the foremost adversaries of the United States, and mitigate the risks posed to the United States, and the nominations of Joel Rayburn, of Oklahoma, to be an Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, Chris Pratt, of Utah, to be an Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, and Michael DeSombre, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, all of the Department of State.

Committee

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

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Summary

On June 5, 2025, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held a business meeting to consider multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. The bills under consideration addressed a range of foreign policy and national security priorities, including establishing a quantum cooperation program with international partners, allowing the Secretary of the Interior to develop memoranda of understanding for mapping critical minerals and rare earth elements, providing tools to deter wrongful detention of U.S. nationals, granting international organization status to ASEAN, CERN, and the Pacific Islands Forum, developing a strategy to counter China's global military basing expansion, establishing congressional oversight of security assistance to Mexico, facilitating nuclear cooperation and exports, ensuring Taiwan receives equitable treatment at international financial institutions, and developing a whole-of-government strategy to disrupt cooperation among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The committee also considered a resolution condemning Hamas for its October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and demanding the release of hostages, along with three nominations to the State Department for Assistant Secretary positions covering Near Eastern Affairs, Political-Military Affairs, and East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The business meeting format indicates the committee was preparing to vote on advancing these measures, though a hearing does not guarantee passage of any legislation.

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Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.

Jun 18, 2025

Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.

Jun 18, 2025

PARTNER with ASEAN, CERN, and PIF Act

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Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

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PARTNER with ASEAN, CERN, and PIF Act

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee

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Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee

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Bill Information

Sponsors & Co-sponsors (5)

Cosponsors (4)

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Legislative Subjects (34)

Committees (1)

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

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