SE Nebraska News

U.S. Senators Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Roger Wicker of Mississippi have written an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, highlighting their recent trip to the Indo-Pacific region where they met with leaders from Taiwan, the Philippines, and Palau. The purpose of their visit was to evaluate U.S. military readiness and strengthen relationships with allies in the area.

The senators described meeting with President Lai Ching-tse of Taiwan, noting his commitment to increasing defense spending and rallying public support for a resilience plan in response to perceived threats from China. In the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has prioritized restoring ties with the United States and has expanded cooperation with other regional partners such as Japan, Australia, and Taiwan. Despite China’s significant naval presence in the South China Sea, the Philippine government has maintained its position.

In Palau, the senators observed that China is attempting to destabilize President Surangel Whipps Jr.'s administration through economic pressure and by exporting criminal elements. However, Palau remains aligned with the United States, and President Whipps continues to recognize Taiwan diplomatically instead of Beijing.

According to Fischer and Wicker, “Our allies are resolute and determined to resist China, and the U.S. is indispensable to that mission. Our military presence in Guam, Palau, Hawaii and the Philippines forms the kind of logistics chain that wins wars. Tougher infrastructure, backup communication cables and stockpiled supplies are crucial to victory.”

They also discussed ongoing collaboration with Admiral Samuel Paparo, who leads U.S. forces in the Pacific. The senators said they have worked closely with him “to understand his requirements and cut through the bureaucracy that has for years prevented key investments in the Western Pacific.” They emphasized that recent defense investments focus on space capabilities, logistics systems, low-cost weapons production lines, as well as expanding munitions lines.

“The new law also strengthens our ability to operate from Guam and accelerates construction projects in Palau and at the Filipino military bases from which U.S. forces operate,” they wrote. Additionally, new funding will go toward economic competition strategies against China, including establishing an Economic Defense Unit.

Fischer and Wicker concluded: “A strategy based on peace through strength is the best approach for deterring China, Russia and Iran—the axis of aggression. It requires sustained defense spending that equals 5% of gross domestic product.” They argued against reducing military funding: “Some have said this is too costly—but we can’t afford an underresourced military. We don’t get to pick the threats we face, only how to respond.”

Senator Wicker serves as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Senator Fischer is a senior member of that committee.