Reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines.

Two new Whereas clauses were added: one referencing the April 11, 2024 trilateral summit between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States in Washington, D.C., and another describing a June 17, 2024 incident in which PRC vessels used water cannons, ramming, blocking maneuvers, and towing to damage Philippine vessels and injure service members at Second Thomas Shoal.

A new operative clause (6) was added emphasizing that respecting shared values of democratic institutions, human rights, and the rule of law - specifically regarding trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, critics of the government, faith and religious leaders, and civil society activists - will strengthen the US-Philippines alliance.

Operative clause (2) was expanded from calling on the US and Philippines to 'begin joint patrols' to calling on them to 'conduct more joint patrols...including with other like-minded partners, to underscore the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight.' This broadens the scope beyond a bilateral effort.

A new operative clause (7) was added reaffirming the US commitment to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines 'in accordance with constitutional processes' if an armed attack is committed in the South China Sea. This adds a constitutional qualifier not present in the original clause (1).

A new operative clause (4) was added that 'strongly condemns and calls on the People's Republic of China to cease its aggressive and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.'

The bill moved from the 1st Session to the 2d Session of the 118th Congress, and the date changed from November 1, 2023 to November 20, 2024. The original sponsor attribution (Mr. Moylan for himself and Mr. Scott of Virginia) was removed in the engrossed version.