Congress has a decision to make soon that will affect the nation’s ability to deter China and maintain the U.S. role in the Pacific. Without meaningful action to renew U.S. agreements with several Pacific Island nations, China will be positioned to gain greater leverage and influence across what was once an American lake. A year from now on Sept. 30, 2023, provisions within bilateral compact agreements binding the Republic of Palau, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia to the U.S. begin to expire.