March 5, 2026
Mr. Kennedy introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To require the advice and consent of the Senate for any modification to the 1966 agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom concerning the British Indian Ocean Territory, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Diego Garcia Treaty Oversight Act
.
Sec. 2. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate committees of Congress
The term appropriate committees of Congress means—
(A)
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B)
the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and
(C)
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) Covered agreement
The term covered agreement means the Exchange of notes constituting an agreement concerning the availability for defense purposes of the British Indian Ocean Territory, dated December 30, 1966.
Sec. 3. Requirements relating to modification of agreement concerning the British Indian Ocean Territory
(a) In general
Any modification to the covered agreement shall require the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) Prohibition on use of funds
None of the funds authorized to be appropriated, appropriated, or otherwise made available for any Federal department or agency may be obligated or expended to modify the covered agreement unless the Senate has provided advice and consent for such modification.
(c) Report required
(1) In general
Before entering into any negotiation regarding modification of the covered agreement, the President shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report detailing the following:
(A)
The national security rationale for the proposed modification.
(B)
The implications of the proposed modification for United States operational control of Diego Garcia.
(C)
Any risks posed by third-party sovereign claims or foreign military presence.
(2) Form
The report described in paragraph (1) shall be submitted in classified and unclassified form.