Washington strategists have been talking about a “pivot to Asia” for the better part of a decade, but it may take the coronavirus to make it a reality. Last week Republican Rep. Mac Thornberry, ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, introduced $6 billion for a new initiative to deter Chinese expansion. This week Sen. Tom Cotton of the Senate Armed Services Committee will also propose major legislation to beef up U.S. forces in the Pacific.

Sen. Cotton wants his $43 billion legislation, first reported here, included...