Whereas the United States and the Dominican Republic share extensive economic, security, and cultural ties and a mutual commitment to the promotion of internationally recognized human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law; Whereas the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Dominican Republic has contributed to the economic prosperity and national security of both countries, including through the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement and the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative; Whereas under the leadership of President Luis Abinader, who took office on August 16, 2020, the Government of the Dominican Republic has taken steps to effectively address the COVID–19 pandemic, fully vaccinating over 60 percent of its adult population, one of the highest vaccination rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, and acquiring sufficient surplus vaccines to provide donations to other countries in the region; Whereas in response to the COVID–19 pandemic, the Government of the Dominican Republic has committed to working with the United States, other Group of 7 countries, the International Monetary Fund, and the Inter-American Development Bank to advance global and regional post-pandemic economic recovery efforts; Whereas in 2020, United States foreign direct investment in the Dominican Republic totaled $274,500,000, and remittances from the United States accounted for approximately 78 percent of the over $8,000,000,000 in remittances sent to the Dominican Republic, according to data from the Congressional Research Service and World Bank, respectively; Whereas, on September 30, 2021, President Abinader signed presidential decree 612–21, creating a ministerial task force to advance nearshoring initiatives and strengthen the Dominican Republic’s participation in international supply chains and role as an industrial, manufacturing, and logistical hub, including by expanding the country’s network of free trade zones