[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013

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                               speech of

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4310) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2013 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense, to prescribe 
     military personnel strengths for fiscal year 2013, and for 
     other purposes:

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the 
Granger Amendment #44 to H.R. 4310 that was included in the En Bloc 
Amendment #3. As one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan 
Caucus, I believe this amendment embodies the spirit of the Taiwan 
Relations Act of 1979 in providing assistance to Taiwan for its own 
defense.
  Through the TRA, we are able to conduct arms sales to Taipei. Over 
the past 30 years, we have done this time and time again. 
Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has failed to proceed on 
Taiwan's top request--the F 16 C/D aircraft. Taiwan has an aging fixed 
wing aircraft fleet, and with the growing military gap across the 
Taiwan Strait, it is critical that we sell them this aircraft. The 
Granger Amendment does just that by requiring the President to move 
forward on the sale of no fewer than 66 F 16 C/Ds.
  Mr. Chair, the Taiwan Caucus sent letters in 2010 and 2011 urging the 
White House to move forward on this matter. In 2010, 136 bipartisan 
Members signed that letter, and in 2011, 181 Members joined in the 
effort. Unfortunately, those letters were received with mostly silence. 
However, the White House cannot ignore this amendment.
  I urge my colleagues to uphold our commitment to Taiwan and support 
the Granger Amendment.

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