[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 86 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1960) to 
     authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2014 for military 
     activities of the Department of Defense and for military 
     construction, to prescribe military personnel strengths for 
     such fiscal year, and for other purposes:

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Chair, I am pleased to offer this bipartisan 
amendment on behalf of my fellow co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan 
Caucus: Reps. Diaz-Balart, Carter, and Sires. We also have two other 
notable cosponsors: Rep. Gingrey, the former co-chair of the Caucus, 
and Rep. Granger. Our amendment would affirm the United States' 
longstanding economic and defensive partnership with Taiwan, which 
dates back to the 1940s.
  This amendment reflects the same language adopted by voice vote in 
the House during consideration of the FY13 National Defense 
Authorization Act. In the 112th Congress, 181 Members of the House of 
Representatives sent a letter to the Administration citing the 
``critical'' need for the United States ``to sell the government of 
Taiwan all the F-16 C/D [aircraft] it requires.'' The letter urged the 
Administration to ``move quickly'' on this matter and cited the Taiwan 
Relations Act of 1979 (TRA) as the statutory basis for such a sale.
  The Administration's announcement to sell only a retrofit package for 
Taiwan's older fighter jets disappointed Taiwan's supporters. After 
all, U.S. policy with regard to the defensive capabilities of Taiwan is 
clearly outlined in the TRA, which states it is the policy of the U.S. 
``to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character.''
  Moreover, three joint communiques between the U.S. and the People's 
Republic of China (PRC), and the ``Six Assurances'' to Taipei offered 
by President Reagan, add additional context to the U.S.-Taiwan 
relationship. The defensive weapons provision in the TRA has been an 
irritant in the relationship with Beijing, but this provision is 
necessary for Taiwan's defense.
  It should be no surprise that advocates for Taipei's defensive needs 
continue to push for the sale of the 66 F-16 C/D planes. It is 
important that U.S. obligations to provide for Taiwan's defenses--
codified in and by the TRA--be dictated by our assessments of Taiwan's 
needs and not by the threat, implied or otherwise, of Taiwan's big 
neighbor. Beyond this defense relationship, the United States has 
strong economic ties with Taiwan. In 2010 total U.S. trade with Taiwan 
was $61.9 billion, making it the 9th largest U.S. trading partner.
  I encourage my colleagues to vote for this bipartisan amendment 
directing the President to sell 66 F-16 C/D aircraft to Taiwan.

                          ____________________