[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 153 (Thursday, September 22, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4989-S4990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 5597. Mr. HAWLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 5499 submitted by Mr. Reed (for himself and Mr. Inhofe) 
and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 7900, to authorize 
appropriations for fiscal year 2023 for military activities of the 
Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense 
activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel 
strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end of subtitle D of title XII, add the following:

     SEC. 1254. ESTABLISHMENT OF PRECLEARANCE FACILITIES IN THE 
                   INDO-PACIFIC REGION.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Taiwan 
     Preclearance Act''.
       (b) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance 
     stations U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and 
     specialists at foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to 
     boarding United States-bound flight.
       (2) More than 600 U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
     officers and specialists are stationed in Aruba, The Bahamas, 
     Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, and The United Arab Emirates.
       (3) A Preclearance program at Taiwan's Taoyuan 
     International Airport (TPE) would signal Taiwan's importance 
     to the United States and compliance with international 
     aviation rules.
       (4) In 2012, the United States announced Taiwan's 
     designation for participation in the Visa Waiver Program, 
     which allows for Taiwanese passport holders to enter and 
     remain in the United States for up to 90 days obtaining a 
     United States visa.
       (5) In 2017, Taiwan became the third location in East Asia 
     and the 12th nation worldwide to be eligible for the Global 
     Entry program, which allows for expedited immigration and 
     customs clearance and pre-approval.

[[Page S4990]]

       (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Taiwan is a steadfast partner of the United States in 
     the common pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region; 
     and
       (2) the United States should prioritize the establishment 
     of Preclearance facilities and other security programs with 
     allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including 
     Taiwan.
       (d) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``appropriate 
     congressional committees'' means--
       (1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       (2) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
       (3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
     of the Senate;
       (4) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (5) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (e) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall submit a 
     report to the appropriate congressional committees that--
       (1) describes the plan for the establishment of a 
     Preclearance facility in Taiwan or in other countries in the 
     Indo-Pacific region;
       (2) analyzes the feasibility and advisability for the 
     establishment of a Preclearance facility in Taiwan;
       (3) assesses the impacts that Preclearance operations in 
     Taiwan will have on--
       (A) trade between the United States and Taiwan, including 
     the impact on established supply chains;
       (B) the tourism industry in the United States, including 
     the potential impact on revenue and tourist-related commerce;
       (C) United States and foreign passengers traveling to the 
     United States for business-related activities;
       (D) cost savings and potential market access by expanding 
     operations into the Indo-Pacific region;
       (E) opportunities for government-to-government 
     collaboration available in Taiwan after Preclearance 
     operations are established; and
       (F) U.S. Customs and Border Patrol international and 
     domestic port of entry staffing; and
       (4) includes country-specific information on the 
     anticipated homeland security benefits and the security 
     vulnerabilities associated with conducting Preclearance 
     operations in Taiwan.
                                 ______