Jake Ellzey Joins Delegation to Southeast Asia to Support the U.S. Military’s Largest Combatant Command

Congressional Delegation Met with Officials in the Philippines, Taiwan, and India to Strengthen Ties with Critical Allies and Partners to Counter Chinese Aggression

WASHINGTON – This morning, a congressional delegation (CODEL) led by U.S. Senator and India Caucus Co-Chair John Cornyn (R-TX) touched down back in the U.S after visiting key allies and partners in southeast Asia. The delegation, which included Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Representatives Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and Jake Ellzey (TX-6), supported Indo-Pacific Command’s mission to continue to build security cooperation in the region and strengthen bilateral ties with key allies following COVID-19.

“As a former navy commander, I know the value of strategic military positioning. Our allies and our forces in the Indo-Pacific are vital in securing stability in the region and keeping China’s overreach in check,” said Ellzey. “I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with leaders in the region and servicemembers stationed there.”

The delegation began their travels by meeting with the newly installed USINDOPACOM Commander, Admiral John Aquilino, who oversees the oldest and largest combatant command. After giving the group a broad situational overview, Admiral Aquilino conveyed his priorities for all branches of the military in the region, which spans from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to the western border of India.

In the Philippines, the delegation met with Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr. and received an update on efforts to counter China’s influence in the region. Later, the members saw firsthand disputed islands facing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

To learn how the U.S. can best support Taiwan’s development of domestic asymmetric defense capabilities and foster cooperation, the delegation met with President Tsai Ing-we, along with defense and foreign affairs leadership in Taipei. Next, they visited the world’s largest semiconductor foundry to tour a fabrication facility and receive a briefing about China’s efforts to threaten Taiwanese chipmaking and destabilize this critical supply chain.

After landing in India, the group met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cabinet officials in New Delhi. They discussed support for Quad countries, important trade priorities, and priorities for the Senate India Caucus, which was co-founded by Sen. Cornyn. This visit marked the delegation’s travel from one end of the USINDOPACOM Theater to the other.

Lastly, the delegation had an audience with the representative of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who spoke with the group about religious freedom and geopolitical issues, including border disputes and Tibetan human rights.

The delegation thanks the U.S. military overseas in USINDOPACOM, the staff of U.S. embassies in the region, and the leaders and dignitaries of their host countries and partners for their hospitality and service.