[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 9 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM NUSSLE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 7, 2000

  Mr. NUSSLE. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, February 1, 2000, my vote on 
rollcall vote No. 5 was recorded as ``nay.'' However, my vote should 
have been recorded as ``aye.''
  I strongly support H.R. 1838, the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act. 
For almost half a century, the United States has helped maintain a 
balance of power in the Taiwan Strait by continuously being committed 
to defensively preserving Taiwan from attack from the People's Republic 
of China. There is concern the Clinton Administration will choose not 
to follow this longstanding policy regarding Taiwan. As a result, the 
majority in Congress has decided to act on this issue out of concern 
for the people of Taiwan. I believe that H.R. 1838 allows the United 
States to remain committed to providing Taiwan with the means necessary 
to maintain a self-defense capability as expressed in the Taiwan 
Relations Act. This legislation also allows long neglected contact 
between high-level American and Taiwanese military personnel.
  Again, my vote on rollcall vote No. 5 should have been recorded as 
``aye.''

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