[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8238 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 8238

 To require the Secretary of Defense to appropriately consider Taiwan 
      for enhanced defense industrial base cooperation activities.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 2, 2024

  Mrs. Steel (for herself and Mr. Horsford) introduced the following 
 bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in 
    addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To require the Secretary of Defense to appropriately consider Taiwan 
      for enhanced defense industrial base cooperation activities.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. CONSIDERATION OF TAIWAN FOR ENHANCED DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE 
              COOPERATION.

    (a) Enhanced Defense Industrial Base Cooperation.--
            (1) In general.--Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act 
        (22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the Secretary of Defense, in 
        coordination with the Secretary of State and the head of any 
        other relevant Federal department or agency, shall take 
        measures to ensure that Taiwan is appropriately considered for 
        enhanced defense industrial base cooperation activities aligned 
        with the United States National Defense Industrial Strategy to 
        expand global defense production, increase supply chain 
        security and resilience, and meet the defense needs of Taiwan.
            (2) Elements.--Consideration for enhanced defense 
        industrial base cooperation activities under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the consideration of Taiwan for the following:
                    (A) Eligibility for funding to initiate or 
                facilitate cooperative research, development, testing, 
                or evaluation projects with the Department of Defense.
                    (B) Eligibility to enter into a memorandum of 
                understanding or other formal agreement with the 
                Department of Defense for the purpose of conducting 
                cooperative research and development projects on 
                defense equipment and munitions, with a focus on 
                enhancing the defense industry and supply chain 
                resilience of Taiwan.
    (b) Feasibility Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Defense, in coordination 
        with the Secretary of State, the Government of Taiwan, and 
        representatives of the United States defense industry, shall 
        conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability of entering 
        into one or more defense industrial agreements with Taiwan.
            (2) Elements.--The study required by paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) evaluate the strategic benefits and 
                implications of entering into a defense industrial 
                agreement with Taiwan, including with respect to--
                            (i) long-term supply chain security and 
                        resilience;
                            (ii) mutual supply of defense goods and 
                        services;
                            (iii) supply of regional maintenance, 
                        repair, and overhaul capabilities and any other 
                        support capability the Secretary considers 
                        appropriate; and
                            (iv) the promotion of interoperability;
                    (B) account for the legal, economic, and defense 
                policy aspects of a closer defense procurement 
                partnership between the United States and Taiwan; and
                    (C) include a list of not fewer than 5 defense 
                capabilities--
                            (i)(I) developed by, and produced in, 
                        Taiwan; and
                            (II) that require expedited licenses for 
                        components produced in the United States; or
                            (ii) developed by the United States but for 
                        which the United States defense industry cannot 
                        meet the demand of Taiwan on a timely basis so 
                        as to necessitate production in Taiwan.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to 
        the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of 
        Representatives a report on the results of the study conducted 
        under paragraph (1).
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