H.R. 1263 – Strengthening the Quad Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 2:45 AM UTC

The Strengthening the Quad Act directs the U.S. government to create a formal strategy for expanding collaboration with Australia, India, and Japan and to set up a Quad Inter‑Parliamentary Working Group. The law aims to boost joint efforts on security, economic growth, technology, climate, health, and infrastructure across the Indo‑Pacific region. It establishes a congressional delegation to work directly with the legislatures of the other Quad members, ensuring regular dialogue and coordinated action.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of State must deliver a strategy to Congress within 180 days outlining how the U.S. will deepen cooperation with Australia, India, and Japan, including a review of past Quad initiatives, barriers to cooperation, and recommendations for new authorities or resources.
Within 60 days, the Secretary of State must begin negotiations with the other three Quad nations to create a written agreement establishing a Quad Inter‑Parliamentary Working Group.
The U.S. side of the Working Group will consist of up to 24 members of Congress, half appointed by the House Speaker (with at least four from the House Foreign Affairs Committee) and half by the Senate President Pro Tempore (with at least four from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee).
The U.S. Group must meet at least once a year with legislative representatives from Australia, India, and Japan (or invited partners), either in the U.S., another Quad country when Congress is not in session, or virtually.
The group will submit an annual report to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee detailing activities, expenditures, and recommendations for enhancing Quad cooperation.

Legislative Activity

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10 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Foreign Relations Committee

May 20, 2025

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 12, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

February 12, 2025

HouseFloor

Mr. Huizenga moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

May 19, 2025 • 3:59 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2119-2121)

May 19, 2025 • 3:59 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1263.

May 19, 2025 • 3:59 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

May 19, 2025 • 4:11 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2135-2136)

May 19, 2025 • 6:30 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 334 - 51 (Roll no. 132). (text: CR H2119-2120)

View vote Passed

May 19, 2025 • 6:55 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 334 - 51 (Roll no. 132). (text: CR H2119-2120)

View vote Passed

May 19, 2025 • 6:55 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 19, 2025 • 6:55 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Foreign Relations Committee

May 20, 2025

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

May 19, 2025 at 6:53 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

334 - 51

Floor Debate

6 members

What members said about H.R. 1263 on the floor

+1

3 Republicans3 Democrats

Rep. Bill HuizengaR-MI-4 · May 19, 2025

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1263) to require a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan and to…

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1263) to require a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan and to seek to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this matter.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1263, the Strengthening the Quad Act, introduced by my friend, Ranking Member Meeks, and the chairwoman of the East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, Congresswoman Young Kim.

This legislation is a strategic, forward-thinking step that reinforces Congress' unwavering commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

At a time when the Chinese Communist Party is aggressively asserting its influence, militarizing the South China Sea, threatening Taiwan, coercing regional partners, and promoting authoritarianism, it is more critical than ever for the United States to deepen cooperation with like-minded democratic nations.

The Quad, comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia, is not just another diplomatic forum. It is a powerful, strategic alliance built on unyielding values: respect for sovereignty, unwavering commitment to the rule of law, promotion of fair trade, and a relentless defense of democratic governance. This partnership is a force for stability and accountability in an increasingly turbulent world.

The Strengthening the Quad Act takes this partnership to the next level. It empowers this relationship by ensuring regular, high-level engagement between the United States Congress and the legislatures of the Quad nations, fostering deeper collaboration and mutual understanding.

We have seen the power of early engagement. On day one of President Trump's administration, Secretary Rubio convened the first-ever Quad foreign ministers meeting, demonstrating our dedication to confronting evolving geopolitical challenges alongside our democratic allies.

By strengthening our partnership with the Quad, we are not just reinforcing alliances in the Indo-Pacific, we are drawing a clear line in the sand, or maybe the ocean as, Mr. Speaker, democratic values and the rule of law will, not might, shape the future of global power, not authoritarian coercion.

Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the South and Central and Asia Subcommittee, I support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), who is the chair of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, at this point, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the ranking member's work on this legislation, as well as the work of Chairwoman Kim, Mr. Bera, and Ms. Kamlager-Dove. This is what can happen when we come together and have our common interests as a nation be projected out to our allies.

I have been involved in a number of other inter-parliamentary groups, IPGs, that really have allowed this body to build and foster relationships with others. It is those critical relationships, not just at the administrative level, but also at that legislative level, that can work through some of the challenges that occur at times with our allies.

Mr. Speaker, let's pass this bill, Strengthening the Quad Act, and send an unmistakable message that the United States stands firm with our allies, committed to peace through strength, prosperity through unity, and an unbreakable defense of democracy against authoritarian threats.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Rep. Gregory W. MeeksD-NY-5 · May 19, 2025

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1263. I am the proud sponsor of this bill, the Strengthening the Quad Act, and I am grateful to…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1263.

I am the proud sponsor of this bill, the Strengthening the Quad Act, and I am grateful to Representative Young Kim for introducing it with me alongside Representatives Bera, Huizenga, and Kamlager-Dove.

The Quad is a diplomatic dialogue the United States has established with the Governments of Japan, Australia, and India. It is a timely initiative with strong support in all four capitals and the support of three successive U.S. administrations. President Trump helped relaunch the Quad during his first term. President Biden elevated the Quad to the leaders' level and operationalized it. In addition, the second Trump administration has embraced the Quad, as well. In fact, as Mr. Huizenga has said, Secretary of State Marco Rubio's first diplomatic meeting was with the Quad foreign ministers.

The reason the Quad is so important today is very simple. Freedom and democracy in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world are currently under attack.

According to Freedom House, the world has experienced 19 consecutive years of decline in global freedom. Given this global crisis, America must lead with our values and harness regional diplomacy to bring democracies together like never before to foster cooperation and find solutions to complex challenges. In particular, in the Indo-Pacific, one of the best tools we have to do that is the Quad.

The Quad allows us to work with three leading Indo-Pacific democracies to showcase the heft of open markets and open societies. In the face of the PRC's authoritarian model, we must demonstrate to the region that democracies can and will deliver results.

On this, Republicans and Democrats agree that the Quad is integral for a free and open Indo-Pacific. However, to ensure the Quad's success and longevity, we need to identify and pursue clear objectives and deepen political and institutional support in all four of the capitals.

This is why H.R. 1263 calls on the State Department to develop a long-term strategy for the Quad. The strategy and report to Congress will allow successive administrations to set ambitious benchmarks and to partner with Congress to meet them.

My bill also establishes a Quad Intra-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate engagement and cooperation among the legislatures of the four democracies. Inter-Parliamentary engagement will expand diplomatic ties

and strengthen oversight of our respective governments in order to enhance the Quad's effectiveness.

It will also help to sustain political support and resources for the Quad in all four nations. It is simply a very important bill to further democracy in the Indo-Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, this is a bipartisan bill. I thank Representative Young Kim for her work on this bill along with Mr. Bera, Mr. Huizenga, and Ms. Kamlager-Dove.

This bill passed the House in the last Congress and also the one before that. With authoritarianism on the rise and our Indo-Pacific allies and partners increasingly worried about the United States' commitment to their region, passing this bill now and getting it signed into law will reassure our allies that the United States will remain engaged at the highest of levels.

This will help ensure that democracies in the region can continue to deliver and that we stay committed and find success in our collective endeavor to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I hope all of my colleagues will join me and support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Young KimR-CA-40 · May 19, 2025

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Huizenga for yielding, and I thank our ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Meeks, also for managing this on the House floor. Mr.…

Rep. Daniel S. GoldmanD-NY-10 · May 19, 2025

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes because of an important family matter. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 132 of the 119th Congress and YEA on Roll Call No. 133 of the 119th…

Rep. Greg StantonD-AZ-4 · May 19, 2025

Mr. Speaker, I was necessarily absent and missed two votes on the House Floor. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 132, H.R. 1263, and YEA on Roll Call No. 133, H.R. 1286.

Show 1 more

Rep. Jennifer A. KiggansR-VA-2 · May 19, 2025

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 132 and YEA on Roll Call No. 133. personal explanation

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued May 20, 2025

IIB

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1263

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 20, 2025

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

AN ACT

To require a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan and to seek to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Strengthening the Quad Act.

2.

Sense of congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

as a Pacific power, the United States should continue to strengthen joint cooperation between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan (commonly referred to as the Quadrilateral Dialogue or Quad and referred to as such in this Act) to enhance and implement a shared vision to meet regional challenges and to promote a free, open, inclusive, resilient, and healthy Indo-Pacific, that is characterized by respect for democratic norms, rule of law, and market-driven economic growth, and is free from undue influence and coercion;

(2)

the United States should expand dialogue and cooperation through the Quad with a range of partners to support peace and prosperity, the rule of law, freedom of navigation and overflight, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and democratic resilience in the Indo-Pacific;

(3)

the pledge from the first-ever Quad leaders meeting on March 12, 2021, to address shared challenges, including in public health, cyberspace, critical technologies, counterterrorism, quality infrastructure investment, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as maritime domains, laid the foundation for critical cooperation among Quad countries;

(4)

the Quad countries, working through institutions, including the United States International Development Finance Corporation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and through partnerships with multilateral development banks such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, should finance development and infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region that are competitive, transparent, and sustainable;

(5)

President Biden’s decision to elevate the Quad to the leader level was critical to bolstering cooperation, and all 4 countries should work to ensure that the Quad Leaders’ Summit continues to take place regularly;

(6)

the ambitious framework for ongoing cooperation laid out by the 4 leaders at the fifth convening of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Hiroshima on May 20, 2023, should continue;

(7)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted the Quad Foreign Ministers in Washington, DC on January 21, 2025—his first day in office—underscoring the continued importance of cooperation between the 4 democracies; and

(8)

the formation of a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group will—

(A)

sustain and deepen engagement between senior officials of the Quad countries on a full spectrum of issues; and

(B)

be modeled on the successful and long-standing bilateral inter-parliamentary groups between the United States and Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as other formal and informal parliamentary exchanges.

3.

Strategy

(a)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for bolstering engagement and cooperation with the Quad.

(b)

Matters To be included

The strategy required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

A description of how the United States intends to demonstrate democratic leadership in the Indo-Pacific through quadrilateral engagement with Australia, India, and Japan on shared interests and common challenges.

(2)

A summary of—

(A)

current and past Quad initiatives across the whole of the United States Government, including to promote broad based and inclusive economic growth and investment, and to advance technology cooperation, energy innovation, climate mitigation and adaptation, physical and digital infrastructure development, education, disaster management, resilient supply chains including in critical minerals, and global health security;

(B)

proposals agreed to by all Quad countries since January 2021 to deepen existing security cooperation, intelligence sharing, economic partnerships, and multilateral coordination; and

(C)

initiatives and agreements undertaken jointly with Quad countries, in addition to other like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific, on areas of shared interest since January 2021.

(3)

A description of the diplomatic and bureaucratic barriers and obstacles to implementing and expanding existing streams of Quad cooperation.

(4)

A list of recommendations on how Congress could assist in addressing the barriers described in paragraph (3), as well as—

(A)

any new authorities needed to strengthen United States leadership in and contribution to existing and proposed Quad initiatives and programs; and

(B)

additional resources needed to scale up and expand successful Quad initiatives and programs.

(c)

Appropriate congressional committees defined

In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

(1)

the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

4.

Establishment of quad inter-parliamentary working group

(a)

Establishment

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall seek to enter into negotiations with the Governments of Australia, India, and Japan (collectively, with the United States, known as the Quad) with the goal of reaching a written agreement to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group to facilitate closer cooperation on shared interests and values.

(b)

United States Group

(1)

In general

At such time as the governments of the Quad countries enter into a written agreement described in subsection (a) to establish a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group, there shall be established a United States Group, which shall represent the United States at the Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group.

(2)

Membership

(A)

In general

The United States Group shall be comprised of not more than 24 Members of Congress.

(B)

Appointment

Of the Members of Congress appointed to the United States Group under subparagraph (A)—

(i)

half shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, based on recommendations from the minority leader, from among Members of the House, not fewer than 4 of whom shall be members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; and

(ii)

half shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, based on recommendations of the majority leader and minority leader of the Senate, from among Members of the Senate, not fewer than 4 of whom shall be members of the Committee on Foreign Relations (unless the majority leader and minority leader determine otherwise).

(3)

Meetings

(A)

In general

The United States Group shall seek to meet not less frequently than annually with representatives and appropriate staff of the legislatures of Australia, India, and Japan, and any other country invited by mutual agreement of the Quad countries.

(B)

Limitation

A meeting described in subparagraph (A) may be held—

(i)

in the United States;

(ii)

in another Quad country during periods when Congress is not in session; or

(iii)

virtually.

(4)

Chairperson and vice chairperson

(A)

House delegation

The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate the chairperson or vice chairperson of the delegation of the United States Group from the House from among members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

(B)

Senate delegation

The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate the chairperson or vice chairperson of the delegation of the United States Group from the Senate from among members of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(5)

Private sources

The United States Group may accept gifts or donations of services or property, subject to the review and approval, as appropriate, of the Committee on Ethics of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Ethics of the Senate.

(6)

Certification of expenditures

The certificate of the chairperson of the delegation from the House of Representatives or the delegation of the Senate of the United States Group shall be final and conclusive upon the accounting officers in the auditing of the accounts of the United States Group.

(7)

Annual report

The United States Group shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report at the end of each year that outlines the group’s activities that year, including a description of its expenditures, and its recommendations for enhancing the Quad.

(8)

Engagement with U.S. officials on the Quad

Senior United States officials shall provide regular updates and briefings to the United States Group, including leading up to and after major Quadrilateral dialogues, to ensure close coordination with Congress.

Passed the House of Representatives May 19, 2025.

Kevin F. McCumber,

Clerk.