[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 74 (Monday, May 5, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H1822-H1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TAIWAN ASSURANCE IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1512) to amend the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to require
periodic reviews and updated reports relating to the Department of
State's Taiwan Guidelines, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1512
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 Assurance
Implementation Act''.
SEC. 2. INCREASED REPORTING REGARDING DEPARTMENT OF STATE
TAIWAN GUIDELINES.
Section 315 of the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 (subtitle B
of title III of division FF of Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat.
3100) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``and any successor
document or related document that includes guidance on
relations with Taiwan'' after ``memorandum''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Periodic Reviews and Updated Reports.--
``(1) In general.--For as long as the Department of State
maintains guidance that governs relations with Taiwan as
described in subsection (a), the Secretary of State shall--
``(A) not less than every five years, conduct a review of
the Department of State's guidance that governs relations
with Taiwan, including the periodic memorandum entitled,
`Guidelines on Relations with Taiwan' and related documents,
and reissue such guidance to executive branch departments and
agencies; and
``(B) not later than 90 days after completing a review
required by paragraph (1)(A), submit an updated report to the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the
Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
``(2) Matters to be included.--The updated reports required
under paragraph (1)(B) shall include--
``(A) all the information required under subsection (c);
and
``(B) a description of how the updated guidance meets the
goals and objectives described in subsection (b).''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida (Mr. Mast) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
General Leave
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have
5
[[Page H1823]]
legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include
extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleague, Mrs. Wagner,
and in support of the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act. This bill
reaffirms and strengthens the United States' commitment to Taiwan, one
of our most important democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan is under growing pressure from an increasingly aggressive
Chinese Communist Party. Xi Jinping has made no secret of his
intentions. Folding Taiwan into the People's Republic of China is
central to his vision of national rejuvenation. He has made it clear he
is willing to use force to make that happen.
The warning signs are in plain view. China is ramping up aerial
incursions, conducting illegal exercises that simulate a blockade
around Taiwan, threatening sanctions against Taiwanese industries, and
relentlessly targeting Taipei with economic and political intimidation.
If we are serious about countering the CCP's ambition to displace the
United States as a global leader, then we have to act with clarity and
conviction. That starts with standing firm alongside Taiwan. We need to
deepen our economic security and diplomatic cooperation with Taiwan and
do so transparently and without apology.
Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, the State Department
too often handcuffed U.S.-Taiwan engagement by clinging to outdated,
self-imposed restrictions and bureaucratic red tape, weakening a vital
partnership at a time when unity and strength are urgently needed. That
is unacceptable.
The Taiwan Assurance Act passed with bipartisan support in 2020, but
the stakes are even higher today. That is why this bill updates and
strengthens the original law, ensuring that U.S. policy toward Taiwan
reflects today's strategic reality, not yesterday's hesitations.
By removing self-imposed limitations on how we engage with Taiwan, we
send a clear message to Beijing: The United States stands with free
nations, and we will not be bullied into silence.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 1512. In the 118th Congress, this body came
together to overwhelmingly pass this bipartisan measure from
Representatives Wagner, Connolly, and Lieu 404-7, and I see no reason
why today's vote should be any less supportive.
It is critical that the United States shows unwavering support for
our friend Taiwan in the face of the PRC's persistent use of economic,
political, and military coercion against it.
Just last month, the PRC conducted large-scale drills in the waters
and airspace around Taiwan in a dangerous and destabilizing show of
force. I heard these concerns reinforced recently during a
congressional visit to the Pacific countries.
Under such tense circumstances, we must work to maintain peace and
stability in the Taiwan Strait by bolstering deterrence and redoubling
our commitment to the U.S. One China policy.
While providing Taiwan with the weapons to defend itself, we must
also strengthen our unofficial relationship with Taiwan in the cultural
and economic space and build resilience in Taiwan against PRC gray zone
tactics.
Since 1979, in order to build a bilateral relationship with China,
our government has maintained internal executive department guidelines
to limit official interactions with Taiwan consistent with our One
China policy. This bill simply directs the executive to report the
guidelines to Congress every 5 years so that Congress is aware of them.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this
measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), the sponsor of this legislation.
Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1512, the
Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act.
Mr. Speaker, it is undeniable that the People's Republic of China is
the single gravest threat to our national security. It is undeniable
that China has increased its destabilizing military activities in the
Pacific. It is undeniable that China has its sights set on the full-
scale invasion of Taiwan.
The United States must not waver in our deterrence of this threat and
our support for this nation.
Just last month, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
testified to Congress that China escalated military pressure against
Taiwan by 300 percent last year. Commander Paparo explicitly warned
that these ``aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan are not just exercises.
They are dress rehearsals for forced unification.''
It is imperative that the full weight of the United States stands
firmly and publicly against these provocations.
For decades, our Nation employed a strategy of opacity, restricting
our formal engagement with Taiwan to avoid upsetting or insulting the
Chinese Communist Party.
In 2020, this body enacted the Taiwan Assurance Act, and the first
Trump administration moved decisively to implement this new policy by
declaring all self-imposed restrictions null and void.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration waffled and rolled back many
of these diplomatic standards. Under my legislation, all
administrations, now and into the future, will be required to
periodically update these regulations, specifically with the goal of
deepening and expanding U.S.-Taiwan relations.
We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners in the Pacific
to deter the Chinese threat. I am proud to say that enacting this
legislation, the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, will be a
decisive step forward to ensuring peace through strength.
Mr. Speaker, I close by acknowledging my close friend and co-lead of
this legislation, Congressman Gerry Connolly, for his work on this
legislation. Congressman Connolly is a respected voice of authority on
this issue and a tireless champion for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. It
has been an absolute honor to work with the Congressman on this
legislation and so many other issues.
Mr. Speaker, Gerry and his entire family remain in our prayers.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is a friend and a fellow democracy that we should
continue to engage with warmth and respect.
The United States needs a Taiwan policy that works for us and Taiwan
while upholding our longstanding One China policy, which has kept
Taiwan safe for over four decades.
Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MAST. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, Taiwan is not just a partner. It is a front line for
democracy, and how we treat our friends in times of pressure defines
our credibility around the globe.
If we are serious about countering the CCP, we have to pass this
piece of legislation.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to vote for H.R. 1512, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Kim). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1512, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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