Bennet, Sullivan Introduce Bipartisan NDAA Amendment to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Security Cooperation

Sep 9, 2025| Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen security cooperation between the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies and partners to deter adversarial aggression. Bennet's amendment mirrors bipartisan legislation he and Senator Sullivan introduced in August.

"Amid China's escalating aggressive and coercive tactics, we must bolster security cooperation with our allies and partners to enhance multilateral deterrence," said Bennet. "This amendment will strengthen key alliances and partnerships to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Specifically, the amendment requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to develop and implement a strategy to strengthen multilateral deterrence by expanding U.S. coordination with allies and partners including Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines - such as by enhancing multilateral access, basing agreements, interoperability, command and control, intelligence-sharing, and military exercises and operations. The amendment also requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on additional resources and policy changes needed to implement this strategy.

In July, Bennet and Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) introduced the Quad Economic Security Act to strengthen cooperation among the Quad - comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States - in securing strategic supply chains, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and countering economic coercion in the region. In June, Bennet and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) introduced the Quad Space Act to strengthen space cooperation among the four members of the Quad to address shared challenges, such as China's dangerous behavior in space. Congressmen Jason Crow (D-Colo.) and Jeff Crank (R-Colo.) introduced companion legislation earlier this month.

Additionally, Bennet recently introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster Taiwan's self-defense and strengthen the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. As part of last year's NDAA, Bennet secured passage of legislation requiring the Department of Defense and State Department to determine how Japan can contribute to the AUKUS partnership.

The text of the amendment is available HERE.