[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 61 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2711-S2712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 633--REAFFIRMING THE UNITED STATES' COMMITMENT TO 
  TAIWAN AND RECOGNIZING THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE 
                          TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

  Mr. RUBIO (for himself and Mr. Merkley) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 633

       Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8; 22 
     U.S.C. 3301 et. seq.; referred to in this preamble as the 
     ``TRA''), which was enacted on April 10, 1979, has been a 
     cornerstone in upholding peace, security, and stability in 
     the Taiwan Strait for 45 years, reflecting the enduring 
     political, international, and economic interests of the 
     United States;
       Whereas United States relations with Taiwan are carried out 
     through the American Institute in Taiwan pursuant to the TRA;
       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 to 
     Taiwan;
       Whereas the TRA and the Six Assurances are cornerstones of 
     United States policy with respect to Taiwan;
       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 Taiwan is a key United States partner in the Indo-
     Pacific that shares similar values, deep commercial and 
     economic links, and strong ties;
       Whereas the TRA enshrines in law 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 the TRA states it is United States policy 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;
       Whereas the United States and Taiwan have forged ever 
     closer economic and security relations over the last 45 years 
     based on--
       (1) their shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the 
     rule of law, and free market principles; and
       (2) their willingness to partner in efforts to promote 
     democratic resilience, counter disinformation, 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 in 1971, the United Nations General Assembly passed 
     Resolution 2758 (XXVI), which does not address--
       (1) Taiwan's political status; or
       (2) the issue of Taiwan's representation in the United 
     Nations;
       Whereas the People's Republic of China continues to falsely 
     assert that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 
     (XXVI) ``resolved, politically, legally and procedurally, the 
     issue of the representation of the whole of China, including 
     Taiwan, in the United Nations and international 
     institutions'';
       Whereas Taiwan is the United States' eighth-largest trading 
     partner and, in 2023, the United States and Taiwan signed the 
     first agreement under a United States-Taiwan Initiative on 
     21st Century Trade;
       Whereas the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (Public Law 117-
     263), which was enacted in 2022, included important 
     provisions--
       (1) to expand United States-Taiwan security cooperation and 
     mutually beneficial relationship through the Taiwan 
     Fellowship Program; and
       (2) to develop a strategy for Taiwan's meaningful 
     participation in international organizations;
       Whereas the Global Cooperation and Training Framework 
     exemplifies the commitment of the United States and Taiwan to 
     collaborate on global challenges, enhancing global capacity 
     through cooperation and the sharing of best practices in 
     areas such as public health, environmental protection, and 
     cybersecurity;
       Whereas the programs under the United States-Taiwan 
     Education Initiative significantly contribute to the 
     strengthening of bilateral relations through educational 
     exchanges, language learning, and professional development, 
     facilitating mutual understanding and collaboration between 
     the peoples of the United States and Taiwan;
       Whereas the United States-Taiwan Science and Technology 
     Agreement and the inaugural Science and Technology 
     Cooperation Dialogue highlight the dedication of the United 
     States and Taiwan--
       (1) to advancing collaboration and understanding between 
     their respective science and technology communities; and
       (2) to fostering innovation and addressing shared 
     challenges through joint research and development efforts; 
     and
       Whereas Taiwan's democracy has deepened with the 3 peaceful 
     transfers of power from 1 political party to another over 8 
     direct Presidential and 10 direct legislative elections: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Taiwan 
     Relations Act, which, together with the Six Assurances, are 
     cornerstones of the United States' unofficial relationship 
     with Taiwan;
       (2) reiterates that the President should continue regular 
     transfers of defense articles to Taiwan consistent with 
     Taiwan's self-defense requirements;
       (3) calls on the Secretary of State to actively engage 
     internationally in support of Taiwan's membership or 
     meaningful participation in international organizations;
       (4) reaffirms the importance of cultivating close ties 
     through initiatives such as the Fulbright Program and the 
     Taiwan Fellowship Program; and
       (5) acknowledges the important work done by the American 
     Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural 
     Representative Office in support of joint United States-
     Taiwan interests.

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