Morristown, NJ.  Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has just returned from leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation of members of his committee to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore.

The delegation met with national leaders, including President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines, along with many other senior defense officials in these three strategically important nations, to assess the progress being made in President Obama’s pledge to “pivot” America’s military and diplomatic focus to the Pacific region. The “pivot” is designed to respond to the increasing belligerence of the People’s Republic of China in the area.

“My talks with officials in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore were enlightening. As a result of what I saw and heard, I am concerned that President Obama’s much-heralded ‘pivot’ to the Pacific is falling far short of where it should be three years after it was announced,” Frelinghuysen said. “America’s allies and partners in this vitally important area of the world are depending on the United States to help discourage and deter Chinese efforts to dominate both the sea and airspace in the Pacific.”

Congressman Frelinghuysen also met with men and women in the Armed Forces, all volunteers, who are serving in the area. He expressed his appreciation for their commitment to defending America’s interests in the region and around the world.

The delegation included Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12) (who is also the chair of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee), Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Congressman James Moran (VA-8).

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