# 119-sres-409: A resolution recognizing the 74th anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines and the strong bilateral security alliance between our two nations in the wake of escalating aggression and political lawfare by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea.

119-sres-409, A resolution recognizing the 74th anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines and the strong bilateral security alliance between our two nations in the wake of escalating aggression and political lawfare by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE] (R-NE); status in_committee (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-409
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-409
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution recognizing the 74th anniversary of the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Philippines and the strong bilateral security alliance between our two nations in the wake of escalating aggression and political lawfare by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea.
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-09-18
- Sponsor: Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE] (R-NE)
- Cosponsors: 15
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Strengthening the U.S.-Philippines security alliance and deterrence against Chinese coercion.** This resolution would mark the 74th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty and press for deeper military cooperation to counter escalating actions by the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea. - Reaffirms that Article IV of the Mutual Defense Treaty would cover armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea, signaling a clear U.S. security commitment for Philippine personnel and territory. - Notes expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) from 5 to 9 locations to support a reinforced U.S. military presence for training, interoperability, and rotational forces. - Catalogs PRC coercive tactics and dangerous incidents from 2009–2025 and highlights the May 2025 Balikatan exercise with more than 14,000 participants and the first deployment of the Navy–Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System as measures to boost deterrence. - Urges deeper U.S. support for Philippine defense modernization and commits to closer cooperation with Japan, South Korea, and Australia to protect freedom of navigation and maritime rights under international law.

## Cosponsors (15)

- Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX] (R-TX), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (D-VA), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (R-FL), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC] (R-NC), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE] (R-NE), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] (D-CO), 2025-09-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] (R-MS), 2025-09-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), 2025-09-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA] (R-PA), 2025-09-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] (R-ID), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025
- 119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas.

## Sources
- [119-sres-409 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/409)

## Related
- [119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1071)
- [119-s-2296: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2296)
- [119-s-4784: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4784)
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-1241: Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1241)
- [119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former Uni…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-913)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-409 (as of 2026-04-21).