WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — A measure aimed at consolidating the United States’ engagement with the Caribbean has unanimously been passed by the US Senate and now awaits President Barack Obama’s signature for it to become law.

The Bill was sponsored by New York Democratic Congressional Representative Eliot L Engel, ranking member of the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign affairs, and South Florida Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a former chair of the committee.

A Miami Herald report says the bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this year.

Under the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act (HR 4939), which passed the US Senate on Tuesday, the US Secretary of State and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will devise a multi-year strategy on issues of concern to the region, such as security, energy, diplomacy and increased access to educational opportunities.

“It’s not a panacea, but a step in the right direction,” the Herald quoted a US congressional aide working on Caribbean affairs as saying.

Passage of the measure “comes at a critical time for the region, which is facing a banking crisis as an increasing number of US banks are pulling out because of new rules, security and energy concerns,” the Herald said.

“It is long past time to have a multi-year strategy that will allow us to increase engagement with the Caribbean, especially when it comes to energy and security,” Engel said.

In echoing similar sentiments, Ros-Lehtinen said: “It is vital to work proactively and collaboratively with Caribbean nations to promote close cooperation in the areas of security, trade, illicit trafficking, and energy.”