[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 494 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 494

         Affirming the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 28, 2014

Mr. Royce (for himself, Mr. Engel, Mr. Chabot, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Wilson 
of South Carolina, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Messer) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and 
  in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
         Affirming the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act has been instrumental in maintaining peace, 
        security, and stability in the Taiwan Strait since its enactment in 
        1979, and it is in the political, international and economic interests 
        of the United States;
Whereas when the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted, it affirmed that the United 
        States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's 
        Republic of China was based on the expectation that the future of Taiwan 
        would be determined by peaceful means;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act states that it is the policy of the United 
        States to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character to maintain 
        the capacity to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion 
        that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economic system, of 
        the people on Taiwan;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act also states that ``it is the policy of the 
        United States to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly 
        commercial, cultural and other relations between the people on Taiwan, 
        as well as the people on the China mainland'';
Whereas the relationship between the United States and Taiwan has been 
        strengthened with--

    (1) Taiwan's evolution into a free society and a full-fledged, multi-
party democracy;

    (2) the development of Taiwan's robust market economy;

    (3) Taiwan's determined effort and collaboration with the United States 
to combat global terrorism, as demonstrated in part by its participation in 
the Container Security Initiative; and

    (4) the leadership role Taiwan has demonstrated in addressing 
transnational and global challenges, including its active engagement in 
humanitarian relief measures, public health endeavors, environmental 
protection initiatives, and financial market stabilization efforts;

Whereas the United States is the third largest trading partner and the largest 
        investor in Taiwan, while Taiwan is the eleventh largest trading partner 
        of the United States and the sixth largest United States agricultural 
        market;
Whereas Taiwan's democracy has deepened with the second peaceful transfer of 
        power from one political party to another after the Presidential 
        election in March 2008; and
Whereas the United States and Taiwan are united in our shared values in fair 
        elections, personal liberty, and free enterprise: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Taiwan 
        Relations Act as the cornerstone of relations between the 
        United States and Taiwan;
            (2) reaffirms its support for Taiwan's democratic 
        institutions;
            (3) reaffirms that peace in the Taiwan Strait should be 
        maintained to the benefit of the 23,000,000 free people of 
        Taiwan;
            (4) supports the United States commitment to Taiwan's 
        security in accord with the Taiwan Relations Act, including the 
        sale of sophisticated defensive weapons to Taiwan;
            (5) reaffirms its commitment to deepen United States-Taiwan 
        trade and investment relations as well as support for Taiwan's 
        inclusion in bilateral and regional trade agreements; and
            (6) supports the strong and deepening relationship between 
        the United States and Taiwan.
                                 <all>