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U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has introduced the Palau Compact Agreement as a stand-alone bill in the U.S. Congress.
The legislation to approve the $250 million package was introduced on June 27, 2013.
Wyden, who is the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over the legislation, further urged his colleagues in approving the agreement “assuring the continued strength” of the partnership between Palau and the U.S.
The Palau Compact Agreement was earlier approved by both the U.S. and Palau, but has been deadlocked in the U.S. Congress for more than two years due to budgetary issues.
The legislation was assigned to a congressional committee, which will consider it before sending it to the House or the Senate as a whole.
Wyden also expressed hope to include the Palau Compact Agreement in the agenda for the upcoming Energy committee meeting on insular issues set for July 11th.
He stressed that the agreement and the legislation reaffirms and strengthens the special ties between Palau and the U.S.