Reps. Huizenga, McCaul introduce legislation to focus on deterrence in South China Sea

U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) recently introduced legislation that seeks South China Sea deterrence and strengthening Australian security ties.

Huizenga and McCaul recently detailed the AUKUS Submarine Transfer Authorization Act. AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“As China transitions to a maritime power, the focus should be deterrence in the South China Sea,” Huizenga said. “This bill leads to a pathway of an interoperable maritime force between the United States and our Australian Allies. America and our partners must take seriously the radically different vision the Chinese Communist Party has for the world.”

Huizenga said the measure represents the initial step to fully realizing the benefits of the mutual partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the shared strategic goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The legislation would authorize the sale of up to two Virginia Class Submarines to Australia, placing the entire transfer process under Congressional oversight and requiring Presidential level certification ensuring national security commitments are protected when making the transfer.

“This alliance will be critical to deterring China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific,” McCaul said. “This bill will provide for our allies, build closer ties between the U.S. and Australia, and strengthen both U.S. and Australian national security.”