Strengthening the Quad Act
This bill strengthens ties between the United States, Australia, India, and Japan by creating an official forum for their lawmakers to coordinate on regional issues. A delegation of up to 24 members of Congress would hold annual meetings with foreign legislators to align policies on maritime defense, technology, and critical supply chains. In addition, the State Department must deliver a plan to Congress detailing the funding, resources, and legal authorities needed to expand joint infrastructure and security projects across the Indo-Pacific.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Members of Congress appointed to the United States GroupGain seats on a new official bilateral body to meet at least annually with counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan, receive mandatory executive branch briefings, and can accept approved gifts or donations of property or services (Sec. 4(b)(1)–(5), Sec. 4(b)(8)).
- legislators from Australia, India, and JapanGain a formal framework to engage in at least annual legislative meetings and cooperation with up to 24 U.S. lawmakers if negotiations succeed (Sec. 4(a), Sec. 4(b)(3)).
Who it burdens
- Department of StateMust develop and submit a comprehensive strategy to Congress within 180 days on expanding Quad cooperation, and initiate negotiations within 60 days with Australia, India, and Japan to establish an inter-parliamentary working group (Sec. 3, Sec. 4(a)).
- senior executive branch officialsRequired to provide regular briefings and updates to the congressional United States Group, including before and after major Quad meetings (Sec. 4(b)(8)).
- Members of Congress appointed to the United States GroupMust compile and submit an annual report to congressional foreign affairs committees detailing annual activities, spending, and recommendations regarding the Quad (Sec. 4(b)(7)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 8 provisions
Requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress within 180 days for expanding U.S. engagement and cooperation with the Quad, including reviews of ongoing initiatives, bureaucratic obstacles, and needed authorities or resources.
Directs the Secretary of State to begin negotiations within 60 days with Australia, India, and Japan to enter into a written agreement establishing a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group.
Establishes a United States Group of up to 24 Members of Congress, split evenly between the House and Senate, to represent the United States and meet at least annually with lawmakers from other Quad countries.
Directs senior executive branch officials to provide regular briefings and updates to the United States Group, including before and after major Quad meetings.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should deepen cooperation with Australia, India, and Japan (the Quad) to support a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region and establish an inter-parliamentary working group.
Permits the congressional United States Group to accept gifts or donations of services or property, subject to approval from House and Senate ethics committees.
Makes the financial certifications of delegation chairpersons conclusive for auditing the accounts and expenditures of the United States Group.
Requires the United States Group to submit an annual report to congressional foreign affairs committees detailing its yearly activities, expenditures, and policy recommendations.
Requires the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress within 180 days for expanding U.S. engagement and cooperation with the Quad, including reviews of ongoing initiatives, bureaucratic obstacles, and needed authorities or resources.
Directs the Secretary of State to begin negotiations within 60 days with Australia, India, and Japan to enter into a written agreement establishing a Quad Inter-Parliamentary Working Group.
Establishes a United States Group of up to 24 Members of Congress, split evenly between the House and Senate, to represent the United States and meet at least annually with lawmakers from other Quad countries.
Directs senior executive branch officials to provide regular briefings and updates to the United States Group, including before and after major Quad meetings.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Strengthening the Quad Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 11 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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)
- 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)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2135-2136)
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1263.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2119-2121)
- Mr. Huizenga moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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)
- 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)
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Strengthening the Quad Act (H.R. 1263, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-1263. Congress.gov record as of Jul 13, 2026.