[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 7, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H3457-H3459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REAFFIRMING UNITED STATES COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN AND TO IMPLEMENTATION OF
TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 273) reaffirming the United States commitment to
Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 273
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) was signed into law
on April 10, 1979, codifying into law the basis for continued
commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people
of the United States and the people of Taiwan, and serving as
the foundation to preserve and promote continued bilateral
bonds;
Whereas the TRA enshrines the United States commitment to
make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense
services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable
Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability;
Whereas pursuant to section 1206 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228; 22
U.S.C. 2321k note.), Taiwan is to be treated as though it
were designated a major non-NATO ally for transfers of
defense articles or defense services;
Whereas in 1982, President Ronald Reagan further clarified
the importance and resilience of the United States-Taiwan
relationship with the issuance of the Six Assurances;
Whereas the TRA and the Six Assurances are cornerstones of
United States policy with respect to Taiwan, as was
reaffirmed by the House of Representatives with the adoption
of H. Con. Res. 88 in 2016;
Whereas the TRA and the Six Assurances have been essential
components in helping to maintain peace, security, and
stability in the Western Pacific, thereby furthering the
political, security, and economic interests of the United
States and Taiwan;
Whereas the United States and Taiwan have forged ever
closer economic and security relations over the last four
decades based on their shared commitment to democracy, human
rights, the rule of law and free market principles, and their
willingness to partner in efforts to combat global terrorism
and to address other global challenges, such as those related
to the environment, public health, energy security,
education, women's empowerment, digital economy, poverty, and
natural disasters;
Whereas the United States-Taiwan partnership has been
further strengthened since the 2015 memorandum of
understanding establishing the Global Cooperation and
Training Framework (GCTF), which has allowed the two parties
to cohost many workshops on critical topics, including one in
December 2018 on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
to which ten regional governments sent participants;
Whereas Taiwan has the expertise, willingness, and
capability to engage in international efforts to mitigate
global challenges related to such issues as public health,
aviation safety, crime, and terrorism, but its participation
in such efforts has been constrained by conditions imposed by
the People's Republic of China (PRC);
Whereas successive Congresses have called upon the
executive branch to develop strategies to obtain meaningful
participation for Taiwan in international organizations, such
as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Criminal
Police Organization (INTERPOL);
Whereas the Congress most recently expressed support for
Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization's
World Health Assembly as an observer on January 22, 2019,
with the adoption of H.R. 353 by the House of
Representatives;
Whereas communication on bilateral security, cultural, and
commercial interests would be greatly enhanced with the full
implementation of the Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115-135),
which became law on March 16, 2018, and which states that the
United States Government ``should encourage visits between
officials from the United States and Taiwan at all levels'';
Whereas the United States and Taiwan have built a strong
economic partnership, with the United States now Taiwan's
third largest trading partner and with Taiwan the 11th
largest trading partner of the United States and a key
destination for United States agricultural exports;
Whereas strong United States-Taiwan economic relations have
been a positive factor in stimulating economic growth and job
creation for the people of both the United States and Taiwan;
and
Whereas successive Congresses have publicly reaffirmed
United States commitments to Taiwan under the Taiwan
Relations Act and Six Assurances, including most recently on
December 31, 2018, with the enactment into law of the Asia
Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-409),
which stated among other things that--
(1) it is United States policy ``to support the close
economic, political, and security relationship between Taiwan
and the United States'';
(2) ``The President should conduct regular transfers of
defense articles to Taiwan that are tailored to meet the
existing and likely threats from the People's Republic of
China, including supporting the efforts of Taiwan to develop
and integrate asymmetric capabilities, as appropriate,
including mobile, survivable, and cost-effective capabilities
into its military forces.''; and
(3) ``The President should encourage the travel of high-
level United States officials to Taiwan, in accordance with
the Taiwan Travel Act.'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) reaffirms that the Taiwan Relations Act, together with
the Six Assurances, are and will remain cornerstones of
United States relations with Taiwan;
(2) encourages United States officials at all levels to
travel to meet with their counterparts in Taiwan, and for
high-level Taiwan officials to enter the United States and
meet with United States officials, per the Taiwan Travel Act;
(3) reiterates that the President should conduct regular
transfers of defense articles to Taiwan consistent with
Taiwan's national security requirements in accordance to
prior legislation, including the Asia Reassurance Initiative
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-409);
(4) calls on the Secretary of State to actively engage
internationally in support of Taiwan's meaningful
participation in international organizations engaged in
addressing transnational threats and challenges such as those
related to health, aviation security, and crime and
terrorism;
(5) recognizes Taiwan's partnership in combating global
terrorism, including as a full partner in the Global
Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and in addressing other global
challenges through the Global Cooperation and Training
Framework (GCTF) and other such initiatives;
(6) underscores the importance of the close people-to-
people ties cultivated through initiatives such as the
Fulbright Program, which has supported thousands of scholar
and grantee exchanges between the United States and Taiwan
over the past 60 years; and
(7) acknowledges the important work done by the American
Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural
Representative Office in support of United States-Taiwan
interests.
[[Page H3458]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Sires) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H. Res. 273, reaffirming the United
States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan
Relations Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in strong support of H. Res. 273, reaffirming the United
States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan
Relations Act.
Signed into law four decades ago, the Taiwan Relations Act marked the
first and most significant act of support for Taiwan by Congress. It
unequivocally demonstrates our support to Taiwan. Along with the Six
Assurances, this act remains the bedrock of our deep partnership with
Taiwan.
With the support of this landmark piece of legislation and in the 40
years since, the United States has deepened security, economic, and
people-to-people ties with Taiwan. Our two nations have worked together
to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Pacific through our
shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Unfortunately, China seeks to diminish Taiwan's presence on the world
stage. We must fully use the tools at our disposal to fight back
against these efforts.
It is important that Congress must do what we can to honor our
commitment to Taiwan. That is why I have long been a proud co-chair of
the Taiwan Caucus and why I support this measure.
H. Res. 273 reaffirms our commitment to the people of Taiwan,
encourages high-level engagement as called for in the Taiwan Travel
Act, promotes Taiwan's meaningful engagement in international
organizations, and calls to deepen cultural ties.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution reaffirming the
United States commitment to Taiwan and the implementation of the Taiwan
Relations Act.
I also want to thank my good friend Chairman Engel and Congressman
Sires for offering this resolution, which gives us an opportunity to
reflect on the importance of U.S.-Taiwan relations at a very critical
time.
As the House considers this measure today, the United States and
Taiwan share in a celebration, the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan
Relations Act, which occurred on April 10 of this year. The Taiwan
Relations Act remains one of Congress' most distinguished and lasting
contributions to U.S. foreign policy.
The TRA built an unshakable foundation for U.S.-Taiwan relations, and
the people of Taiwan have repaid this gesture by transforming Taiwan
into a beacon of democracy and individual liberties. As is often said,
Taiwan is a force for good in the world.
Reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Taiwan at this moment is also
essential because we are standing together to face a growing threat.
Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping is using all the tools at
his disposal--military, economic, informational, and diplomatic--to try
to destroy Taiwan's democracy.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to
remind him once again that he will not succeed on our watch.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Chabot), the senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a
former chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and
Nonproliferation.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 273, which
reaffirms the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the
implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act, or TRA.
As a longtime friend of the people of Taiwan, a founding co-chair of
the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and a cosponsor of this resolution, I
want to thank Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul for their work
to support our critical bilateral relationship with Taiwan.
{time} 1615
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act,
which together with President Reagan's Six Assurances, serve as the
foundation for the relationship between our two countries, and I mean
countries.
Since the TRA was signed in 1979, Taiwan has become a vibrant,
consolidated democracy, one of our most important trading partners and
a model in so many areas for the rest of Asia and the whole world,
really.
Going forward, we must continue to implement the TRA and do better at
fully appreciating the policy commitments it contains. With that in
mind, I urge the President to immediately finalize an arms sales
package with Taiwan as well as begin negotiations for a free trade
agreement.
As China's influence grows, our commitment to Taiwan will be the
bellwether of our commitment to democracy in Asia. We do not owe China
a vote in how we treat Taiwan. If we are equivocal in our support for
Taiwan in the face of Chinese pressure, how can we credibly support
democracy and democratic values when they are threatened elsewhere?
I also want to voice my support for H.R. 2002, Ranking Member
McCaul's Taiwan Assurance Act. This legislation takes important steps
to advance our bilateral relationship, including support for arms sales
and for Taiwan's participation in international organizations. It would
also require a review of the State Department's, I believe,
unreasonable guidelines for Taiwan's diplomatic staff here in the U.S.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I wish the legislation
did not refer to the misguided U.S. One-China policy, but I understand
that it was included as part of negotiations with the Senate.
Finally, the Taiwan Assurance Act requires a report on implementation
of the Taiwan Travel Act, legislation that I introduced last Congress
to increase high-level visits between U.S. and Taiwanese officials.
Since the bill became law a little over a year ago, we have seen not
enough action, and I believe that it is past time for full
implementation of this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, as we mark the TRA's 40th anniversary, H. Res. 273 and
H.R. 2002 are critical to strengthening our enduring relationship with
Taiwan as we look forward to the next 40 years, so I would urge my
colleagues to support both of them.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and would
inquire through the Speaker if my colleague has any remaining speakers
on his side.
Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this
important resolution, H. Res. 273, reaffirming our commitments made to
Taiwan 40 years ago and strengthens our ability to fulfill them.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 273.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
[[Page H3459]]
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