[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1452-H1454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TAIWAN ALLIES INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE
(TAIPEI) ACT OF 2019
Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 1678) to express United States support for Taiwan's diplomatic
alliances around the world, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 1678
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan Allies International
Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-8)
states that it is the policy of the United States ``to
preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly
commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people
of the United States and the people on Taiwan''.
(2) The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 states that it is the
policy of the United States ``to maintain the capacity of the
United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of
coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or
economic system, of the people on Taiwan''.
(3) Taiwan is a free, democratic, and prosperous nation of
23,000,000 people and an important contributor to peace and
stability around the world.
(4) Since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen as
President of Taiwan in 2016, the Government of the People's
Republic of China has intensified its efforts to pressure
Taiwan.
(5) Since 2016, the Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Panama,
the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, the
Solomon Islands, and Kiribati have severed diplomatic
relations with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with
China.
(6) Taiwan currently maintains full diplomatic relations
with 15 nations around the world.
(7) Taiwan's unique relationship with the United States,
Australia, India, Japan, and other countries are of
significant benefit in strengthening Taiwan's economy and
preserving its international space.
(8) According to President Tsai Ing-wen, the severance of
diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations
with China is ``part of a series of diplomatic and military
acts of coercion'' by China.
(9) The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-409) states that--
(A) it is United States policy ``to support the close
economic, political, and security relationship between Taiwan
and the United States''; and
(B) the President should--
(i) ``conduct regular transfers of defense articles to
Taiwan that are tailored to meet the existing and likely
future 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
(ii) ``encourage the travel of high-level United States
officials to Taiwan, in accordance with the Taiwan Travel
Act''.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS
WITH TAIWAN.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States and Taiwan have built a strong
economic partnership, with the United States now Taiwan's
second largest trading partner and with Taiwan the 11th
largest trading partner of the United States and a key
destination for United States agricultural exports;
(2) 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
(3) the United States Trade Representative should consult
with Congress on opportunities for further strengthening
bilateral trade and economic relations between the United
States and Taiwan.
SEC. 4. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH REGARD TO TAIWAN'S
PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.
It should be the policy of the United States--
(1) to advocate, as appropriate--
(A) for Taiwan's membership in all international
organizations in which statehood is not a requirement and in
which the United States is also a participant; and
(B) for Taiwan to be granted observer status in other
appropriate international organizations;
(2) to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the
United States Government in all organizations described in
paragraph (1) to use the voice, vote, and influence of the
United States to advocate for Taiwan's membership or observer
status in such organizations; and
(3) for the President or the President's designees to
advocate, as appropriate, for Taiwan's membership or observer
status in all
[[Page H1453]]
organizations described in paragraph (1) as part of any
relevant bilateral engagements between the United States and
the People's Republic of China, including leader summits and
the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.
SEC. 5. STRENGTHENING OF TIES WITH TAIWAN.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the United States Government should--
(1) support Taiwan in strengthening its official diplomatic
relationships as well as other partnerships with countries in
the Indo-Pacific region and around the world;
(2) consider, in certain cases as appropriate and in
alignment with United States interests, increasing its
economic, security, and diplomatic engagement with nations
that have demonstrably strengthened, enhanced, or upgraded
relations with Taiwan; and
(3) consider, in certain cases as appropriate, in alignment
with United States foreign policy interests and in
consultation with Congress, altering its economic, security,
and diplomatic engagement with nations that take serious or
significant actions to undermine the security or prosperity
of Taiwan.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for five
years, the Secretary of State shall report to the appropriate
congressional committees on the steps taken in accordance
with subsection (a).
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on
Appropriations, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on
Appropriations, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the
House of Representatives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Rhode Island.
General Leave
Mr. CICILLINE. 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 S. 1678.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Rhode Island?
There was no objection.
Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the United States shares a special relationship with
Taiwan, rooted in a wide range of shared values. Yes, Taiwan is a
vibrant democracy. That is the core of our friendship. At the same
time, Taiwan is a model global citizen, making extraordinary
contributions to global health, aviation safety, and other areas aimed
at improving people's lives. It is this spirit of generosity and
commitment to building a safer, more stable world that makes Taiwan
such a valuable partner.
This stands in sharp relief to the record of the People's Republic of
China. It is a comparison the Chinese Government doesn't seem to like,
based on the PRC's constant attempt to restrict Taiwan's ability to
operate on the global stage, including efforts by Beijing to poach
Taiwan's diplomatic partners.
The Chinese Government is a bully. They want to try to isolate
Taiwan, and their tactics shouldn't go unanswered.
This bill, the TAIPEI Act, would help us provide a part of that
answer. It calls on the administration to examine our policies toward
countries that take steps that undermine Taiwan. It calls on the
administration to take additional steps to ensure that Taiwan can
participate in international organizations, and supports Taiwan's
efforts to build stronger partnerships with other countries around the
world.
However, perhaps the most important thing that we can do for Taiwan
is to push the U.S. Trade Representative to look for new ways to ramp
up bilateral trade and economic ties with Taiwan. Giving Taiwan
economic alternatives will be critical for Taiwan's economic future and
will benefit the United States.
This is good legislation, and it sends a strong and important message
to our friends in Taiwan and to the Chinese Government.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support this measure, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Ways and Means,
Washington, DC, February 25, 2020.
Hon. Eliot L. Engel,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Engel: In recognition of the desire to
expedite consideration of S. 1678, ``Taiwan Allies
International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act of
2019,'' the Committee on Ways and Means agrees to waive
formal consideration of the bill as to provisions that fall
within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and
Means.
The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the
mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately
consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation
moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues
within our jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the
right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of
conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or
similar legislation.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming this understanding and would ask that a copy of
our exchange of letter on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration of S. 1678.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Neal,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, February 27, 2020.
Hon. Richard E. Neal,
Committee on Ways and Means,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Neal: I am writing to you concerning S. 1678,
the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement
Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019. I appreciate your
willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation.
I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means under House
Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on S. 1678
to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that
the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does
not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters
contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I
will also support the appointment of Committee on Ways and
Means conferees during any House-Senate conference convened
on this legislation.
Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is
included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your
cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to
continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the
legislative process.
Sincerely,
Eliot L. Engel,
Chairman.
{time} 1245
Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support my bill, the TAIPEI Act, which
does three important things.
First, it endorses a U.S.-Taiwan free trade agreement.
Second, it supports Taiwan's membership in international
institutions.
Third, finally, this bill helps Taiwan maintain partners and allies
around the world.
Mr. Speaker, when I was a young missionary living in Taiwan in 1979,
I could hardly imagine that the day would come when I could stand here
and help return the favor of 40 years ago of their friendship and
kindness to me as a young man living amongst them. My time in the
region gave me a unique understanding of the history and the culture of
these great people.
The TAIPEI Act strengthens our relationship with our partner, Taiwan,
and it does this without spending a single U.S. tax dollar.
I thank Senator Gardner, the Senate sponsor, for working with me on
this bill, as well as the bipartisan group of 47 Representatives who
cosponsored this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again thank my colleagues for their
support on the TAIPEI Act. It will make a powerful statement for us to
pass this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
for the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, when China works to intimidate and isolate a partner of
the United States, one that shares our values, our commitment to
democracy, our vision for engagement around, we should stand by our
partner's side. That is what American leadership is supposed to look
like.
That is exactly what we see happening with Taiwan, and if we really
support the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, we need to help our partner get
out
[[Page H1454]]
from under China's thumb. This bill would help to do that and would
send a clear signal of the importance we place on the U.S.-China
relationship.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill so we can send
it to the President's desk, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 1678, as amended.
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. CICILLINE. 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.
____________________