Taiwan News
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US House of Representatives will vote on two Taiwan-related bills on Monday.
The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act requires the State Department to review and update its policy guidelines regarding Taiwan. The bill was introduced by Representatives Ann Wagner, Gerry Connolly, and Ted Lieu in February.
The bill orders the State Department to explain how guidelines deepen bilateral relations and reflect common values. The department must also lift any “self-imposed limitations on US-Taiwan engagement” and form a plan to do so.
Wagner said the bill “will deepen the relationship between our countries and will signal to the world that the United States will never kowtow to Communist China.” Connolly said, “it is imperative for the United States to demonstrate its unwavering support for our friend and ally, Taiwan.”
The bill will “allow for a more unified approach in coordinating US-Taiwan relations and strengthen our essential partnership,” Lieu said.
Senators John Cornyn and Chris Coons introduced the Senate version of the bill in March, which sets more specific timelines and implementation measures.
The previous Trump administration lifted several self-imposed restrictions on US-Taiwan engagement. However, some of these were reinstated under former President Joe Biden.
The Taiwan International Solidarity Act was introduced in April by Representatives Young Kim and Gerald E. Connolly to counter China’s distortion of language and policies in international organizations to assert its claim over Taiwan.
The bill clarifies that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not prevent the US from thwarting China’s campaign against Taiwan’s international participation. It also encourages the US to collaborate with allies and partners to resist Chinese efforts to undermine Taiwan’s diplomacy and global partnerships.
“Taiwan has a track record of success in democracy and global health security, and its perspective deserves to be heard,” Kim said in a statement. Connolly said the act opposes Beijing’s “weaponization of international organizations” and advocates for the best interests of the Taiwanese.
