[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16933-16937]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1715
     PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE 
                              ORGANIZATION

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 1853) to direct the President to develop a strategy to 
obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police 
Organization, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1853

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL 
                   CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Safety, security and peace is important to every 
     citizen of the world, and shared information ensuring wide 
     assistance among police authorities of nations for 
     expeditious dissemination of information regarding criminal 
     activities greatly assists in these efforts.
       (2) Direct and unobstructed participation in the 
     International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is 
     beneficial for all nations and their police authorities. 
     Internationally shared information with authorized police 
     authorities is vital to peacekeeping efforts.
       (3) With a history dating back to 1914, the role of 
     INTERPOL is defined in its constitution: ``To ensure and 
     promote the widest possible mutual assistance between all 
     criminal police authorities within the limits of the laws 
     existing in the different countries and in the spirit of the 
     Universal Declaration of Human Rights.''.
       (4) Ongoing international threats, including international 
     networks of terrorism, show the ongoing necessity to be ever 
     inclusive of nations willing to work together to combat 
     criminal activity. The ability of police authorities to 
     coordinate, preempt, and act swiftly and in unison is an 
     essential element of crisis prevention and response.
       (5) Taiwan maintained full membership in INTERPOL starting 
     in 1964 through its National Police Administration but was 
     ejected in 1984 when the People's Republic of China (PRC) 
     applied for membership.
       (6) Nonmembership prevents Taiwan from gaining access to 
     INTERPOL's I-24/7 global police communications system, which 
     provides real-time information on criminals and global 
     criminal activities. Taiwan is relegated to second-hand 
     information from friendly nations, including the United 
     States.
       (7) Taiwan is unable to swiftly share information on 
     criminals and suspicious activity with the international 
     community, leaving a huge void in the global crime-fighting 
     efforts and leaving the entire world at risk.
       (8) The United States, in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review, 
     declared its intention to support Taiwan's participation in 
     appropriate international organizations and has consistently 
     reiterated that support.
       (9) Following the enactment of Public Law 108-235, a law 
     authorizing the Secretary of State to initiate and implement 
     a plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at 
     the annual summit of the World Health Assembly and subsequent 
     advocacy by the

[[Page 16934]]

     United States, Taiwan was granted observer status to the 
     World Health Assembly for six consecutive years since 2009. 
     Both prior to and in its capacity as an observer, Taiwan has 
     contributed significantly to the international community's 
     collective efforts in pandemic control, monitoring, early 
     warning, and other related matters.
       (10) INTERPOL's constitution allows for observers at its 
     meetings by ``police bodies which are not members of the 
     Organization''.
       (b) Taiwan's Participation in INTERPOL.--The President 
     shall--
       (1) develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan 
     in INTERPOL and at other related meetings, activities, and 
     mechanisms thereafter; and
       (2) instruct INTERPOL Washington to officially request 
     observer status for Taiwan in INTERPOL and to actively urge 
     INTERPOL member states to support such observer status and 
     participation for Taiwan.
       (c) Report Concerning Observer Status for Taiwan in 
     INTERPOL.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to 
     Congress a report, in unclassified form, describing the 
     United States strategy to endorse and obtain observer status 
     for Taiwan in INTERPOL and at other related meetings, 
     activities, and mechanisms thereafter. The report shall 
     include the following:
       (1) A description of the efforts the President has made to 
     encourage INTERPOL member states to promote Taiwan's bid to 
     obtain observer status in INTERPOL.
       (2) A description of the actions the President will take to 
     endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan in INTERPOL and 
     at other related meetings, activities, and mechanisms 
     thereafter.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the chairman of the Asia and the 
Pacific Subcommittee, Congressman Matt Salmon, for introducing this 
important resolution.
  Taiwan is indeed a strong ally of the United States, one which shares 
our interests and values, including an enduring commitment to democracy 
and the freedom of expression.
  Taiwan is a beacon of freedom in the Pacific, serving as an 
inspiration for the world's oppressed, and it serves as a model for 
future democratic transitions. Unfortunately, however, Taiwan is under 
increasing pressure from an aggressive China that is attempting to 
assert its dominance in the Pacific and to isolate Taiwan on the 
international stage. One organization that China has prevented Taiwan 
from joining is INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police 
Organization.
  INTERPOL was created, Mr. Speaker, to promote international 
cooperation between criminal police authorities; but because of undue 
Chinese pressure, Taiwan is no longer a member of INTERPOL. Taiwan is 
forced to receive less effective, secondhand information about 
international criminals and their illicit activities. Likewise, Taiwan 
cannot share the law enforcement information that it gathers in order 
to benefit INTERPOL.
  In China's efforts to exclude Taiwan and in the efforts of some 
nations to accommodate China, they have ended up hurting Taiwan and the 
entire international community in the process.
  So we have this bill before us, Mr. Speaker. This bill by Congressman 
Salmon directs the President to request observer status for Taiwan at 
INTERPOL, to urge other INTERPOL members to support it, and for the 
President to develop a strategy to ensure the participation of Taiwan.
  I am pleased to support this legislation. I believe that the United 
States should be helping Taiwan's meaningful participation in all 
international organizations and entities in which it has expressed an 
interest in participating.
  Taiwan's exclusion from organizations like INTERPOL is dangerous. It 
is a dangerous practice. It hurts the international community just as 
much as it hurts the people of Taiwan.
  We must not allow U.N. politics or China's efforts to isolate Taiwan 
to exclude it from international organizations. It is, therefore, 
crucial that the United States provide the kind of military assistance, 
economic assistance, and political assistance that will allow Taiwan to 
resist any type of Chinese coercion.
  The Taiwan Relations Act, together with the Six Assurances are the 
cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations, and we must always keep it as our 
guiding beacon. I know that this is a sentiment that is greatly shared 
by the members of our Foreign Affairs Committee and by the chairman of 
our committee, Mr. Royce of California, because the friendship between 
the people of the United States and Taiwan has cemented into one of the 
most cherished partnerships. I look forward to the United States 
Government demonstrating its continued commitment to the people of 
Taiwan with the passage of Mr. Salmon's bill.
  I want to thank, again, Chairman Salmon for introducing this 
important resolution. I am pleased to offer my support, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in support of this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank Mr. Salmon from Arizona, who chairs 
our Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, for authoring 
this bill. I am proud to be a cosponsor.
  The International Criminal Police Organization, what we call 
INTERPOL, helps law enforcement agencies around the world collaborate 
with one another. Thanks to INTERPOL, a task force in New York can 
share information with a police agency in Hamburg or flag a terrorist 
suspect for authorities in Tokyo.
  Sensitive information about criminals or missing persons is available 
at the push of a button for INTERPOL's members. For decades, it has 
been a vital tool for global security.
  Until 1984, Taiwan was a member of INTERPOL; but since the People's 
Republic of China applied for membership, Taiwan has been left out. 
This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.
  Taiwan has the 16th or 17th largest economy in the world. And anyone 
who has ever been to Taiwan, as I have and as my colleague has, will 
just be amazed at the democracy they have built themselves on that tiny 
island. The fact is that they look to the United States for protecting 
them and helping them. Because just like we share the same values with 
Israel, we share the same values with Taiwan, and that is why we work 
with them.
  Taiwan has been left out, and this gap in INTERPOL's membership 
creates a public safety risk for the people of Taiwan and also for the 
rest of the world. So nobody is saying that China should not be a 
member, but China should not have the right to exclude Taiwan.
  This legislation would close that gap. It would instruct the 
administration to push for Taiwan to be granted observer status in 
INTERPOL. Observer status, that is what we are asking for.
  There are countries around the world that function as countries, that 
have everything that all other countries have, and yet, because of 
politics, they are excluded from these international organizations. 
Taiwan is one such country. Kosovo is another type of country.
  We have to stop this. People that live in these countries need to not 
bear the brunt of politics, but really need the protections that 
citizens of other countries have. By our not giving them the 
protections, we leave ourselves a bit unprotected as well.
  So this legislation would instruct the administration to push for 
Taiwan to be granted observer status in INTERPOL. As an observer, 
Taiwan would have access to the information that law enforcement 
agencies already have. It would also allow Taiwan to contribute 
information to INTERPOL,

[[Page 16935]]

information that could be used to stop crime or thwart terrorist 
activity, arrest human traffickers, or sideline other bad actors.
  Good precedent exists for giving Taiwan this status. Taiwan is an 
observer in the World Health Assembly, where it has played a vital role 
in contributing to public health and fighting pandemic disease.
  In fact, Taiwan has repeatedly shown itself to be a constructive, 
positive force in the global community. Countries around the world 
stand to benefit from Taiwan's inclusion in international organizations 
like INTERPOL. So not only does Taiwan benefit, but the rest of the 
world benefits. It is a no-brainer. It is a win-win situation for 
everybody.
  I support this legislation wholeheartedly. I urge my colleagues to do 
the same.
  I thank my colleague from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and the 
chairman from California, Ed Royce. Again, we are all in this together.
  This is great bipartisan legislation of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee. It is important for Taiwan and important for the United 
States.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, before I yield to Mr. Salmon, I ask 
unanimous consent that the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the 
esteemed chairman of our committee, who is here with us now, manage the 
rest of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon). He is the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and the author of this important 
measure.
  Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Ed Royce for bringing this 
important measure to the floor today and for being a constant champion 
of the people of Taiwan.
  I was able to go on a trip with the chairman to Taiwan, and I think 
that he is as close to royalty in Taiwan as anybody that I have ever 
met. They love Ed Royce. In fact, the guy that used to be called ``Mr. 
Taiwan'' was the former Senator from Arizona, Barry Goldwater, but I 
think Ed Royce has maybe taken that title away.
  I am just honored to be able to be here supporting this bill that he 
has allowed to come to the floor. I have been a long-time supporter of 
Taiwan, as have Members throughout this body on both sides of the 
aisle.
  Let me just segue for a minute.
  A lot of people out there get really, really frustrated by the 
partisan nature of what they see happening here in the Nation's 
Capital. A lot of people are frustrated: Why can't both sides just 
agree? I mean, after all, aren't we all Americans?
  The interesting thing is I wish more Americans could come and see our 
committee, the Foreign Affairs Committee, in action because it is the 
epitome of bipartisanship. Besides the fact that Chairman Ed Royce 
leads the committee and demands that we exhibit bipartisanship, Ranking 
Member Eliot Engel is one of the best men I have ever met in my life. 
And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
  Whether it is dealing with terrorism in the Middle East or fairness 
across the globe like this issue with Taiwan and common sense, he is 
always on the right side. He leads his delegation, his folks on that 
side of the aisle in something that we have long believed, but 
sometimes it kind of gets lost in the cacophony of arguments here on 
Capitol Hill on other things, but that is that partisanship ends at the 
water's edge.
  My hat is off to you, Mr. Engel, because you have always exhibited 
that, and I appreciate the way that you have led this body in that way.
  Taiwan is a wonderful, thriving democracy. In fact, I had an 
opportunity as a young man to live there for 2 years, from 1977 to 
1979, while serving a mission for my church. While I was there in 1978, 
the Nixon administration normalized relations with China, recognizing 
the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole, legal 
government of China and declaring it would withdraw diplomatic 
recognition from Taiwan. The U.S. Government has since articulated a 
one-China policy, which was a dark turn for U.S.-Taiwan relations. 
Since then, we have seen a Taiwan that is marginalized in the 
international community.
  Taiwan's ambiguous sovereignty status has contributed to its 
exclusion from many, many international organizations, despite Taiwan's 
obvious willingness to play a larger role in international affairs and 
international security, as it should. From humanitarian assistance and 
disaster relief to law enforcement and global health, so often it has 
been denied the right to share its knowledge and its expertise in the 
international fora.
  This bill, H.R. 1853, would improve Taiwan's capability to contribute 
and benefit from the international community in the interest of 
international security. H.R. 1853 would direct the President to develop 
a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan in the International 
Criminal Police Organization, or INTERPOL. It would also require the 
President to report to Congress on efforts to encourage Taiwan's 
inclusion in INTERPOL.
  Since the early 20th century, INTERPOL has facilitated mutual 
assistance between criminal police authorities worldwide through the 
sharing of information, such as access to comprehensive lists of 
suspicious persons and criminals.
  As we all know and, I think, as every American knows, terrorism and 
other nontraditional security challenges no longer end at our borders 
or anybody's borders. These threats are global by nature.

                              {time}  1730

  In order to secure domestic and international security, the sharing 
of information across borders is vital. Taiwan's exclusion from 
INTERPOL hampers efforts to prevent and respond to threats.
  To ensure that potential terrorists are barred from entering Taiwan, 
it is essential that Taiwan have direct access to INTERPOL and its I-
24/7 system, which provides real-time information on criminals and 
global criminal activities.
  Without this access, Taiwan is forced to cobble together its own list 
based on incomplete and untimely information obtained from a small 
number of friendly countries to Taiwan and Taiwan's own domestic 
intelligence.
  Equally important, Taiwan is unable to share the information that it 
gathers on criminals and suspicious persons with INTERPOL directly. Mr. 
Engel called this policy silly. I think that that is very, very 
appropriate and accurate. This puts everybody at risk, when we have a 
policy that plays politics instead of common sense.
  Cooperation between Taiwan and INTERPOL could be markedly enhanced if 
Taiwan is able to become an observer. H.R. 1853, with 114 bipartisan 
cosponsors, continues to carry the torch of congressional support for 
Taiwan's membership and inclusion in the international community.
  Taiwan is a vibrant, democratic society, with much to contribute to 
the international community. The United States must do more to fulfill 
our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act, which provides that the 
U.S. treat Taiwan the same as foreign countries, nations, states, 
government, or similar entities.
  This is a vote for U.S. support of Taiwan's inclusion in 
international affairs. This is a vote for international security. I 
urge my colleagues to vote to support Taiwan's participation in 
international policing efforts by supporting this legislation, H.R. 
1853.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  We are all saying the same thing, and I think it really shows how 
important this legislation is. I want to mention the gentleman from 
Arizona, as I mentioned before. He was very kind about some of the 
things he said about me.
  You need to go on a trip to China or Taiwan with the gentleman from 
Arizona because he is very modest, but he speaks fluent Mandarin. He 
has great

[[Page 16936]]

diplomatic skills, and the people there really appreciate what he has 
done. I appreciate him being the author of this important piece of 
legislation.
  It is true, when we talk about bipartisanship in foreign affairs, it 
is probably more important than in any other place. I have gone on a 
number of trips and we have had delegations of Republicans and 
Democrats together, and always, as Americans, the differences that we 
might have are very, very tiny.
  When you travel together and you go to another country, we realize 
how important it is that, as Americans, we stand united and that other 
countries respect our country for what our country has done and is 
doing. That is really important.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona, my friend. He has been a 
vital force for this legislation, H.R. 1853, but he has also been a 
vital force on so many other issues on the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
and global issues that are really just so important.
  When we talk about global issues and talk about policy that we need 
to do, there really are no Democrats and no Republicans. We are all 
Americans. We want to make sure that other countries respect what we 
try to do.
  We believe in what this country stands for, and we want to have good 
relations with countries around the world. I think it is so important 
when Members travel there and meet with dignitaries and meet with 
leaders of the country and meet with other parliamentarians that people 
understand what the United States of America is all about.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona for his leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill, as a strong original 
cosponsor. I want to thank Mr. Engel, and I want to thank Mr. Salmon 
and Mr. Brad Sherman for this legislation.
  Taiwan is a nation of 23 million people. It is a booming democracy, 
with a free and open media. It is a loyal friend. It is a loyal partner 
to the United States.
  Taiwan is engaged in important missions worldwide. We see the results 
of a lot of that engagement. Ebola is one most recently on our mind. 
When Ebola hit West Africa, it was Taiwan that donated 100,000 sets of 
protective equipment that were used to stop the spread of Ebola. It was 
Taiwan that gave so much in financial resources to help the sickest in 
Liberia.
  Taiwan today is assisting those who have been forced out of their 
homes by terrorists, whether it is in Syria or Iraq; yet, despite its 
active and constructive role internationally, Taiwan is excluded from 
many international organizations because of its political status.
  While Taiwan voluntarily adheres to the rules and the regulations of 
international organizations like the U.N., it is barred from 
participating. It is barred from being included in U.N. treaties 
against transnational organized crime and nuclear proliferation. This 
is not good for Taiwan, and it is not good for us.
  To better protect its citizens and all the people around the world 
who travel there, Taiwan is seeking observer status in the 
International Criminal Police Organization, which many know as 
INTERPOL.
  This organization enables police from 190 member countries to work 
together to make the world a safer place through information sharing, 
capacity building, and response coordination between police 
departments. That is 190 countries, but Taiwan is not included.
  The legislation before us today will help to secure observer status 
for Taiwan at INTERPOL. The measure requires the President of the 
United States to develop and execute a strategy to ensure that Taiwan 
participates in INTERPOL's next General Assembly meeting, which is 
coming up in Indonesia. This will bring better international law 
enforcement cooperation with one of our most important partners: 
Taiwan.
  Mr. Speaker, by way of history, Taiwan had full membership in 
INTERPOL starting back in 1964, but Taiwan was ejected from the law 
enforcement group in 1984, when the People's Republic of China applied 
for membership.
  Since then, Taiwan has relied on delayed secondhand information that 
they get from the United States about international criminals and 
global criminal activities, and that, frankly, makes Taiwan more 
vulnerable to security threats.
  Likewise, Taiwan cannot share the law enforcement information it 
gathers to the benefit, frankly, of INTERPOL and the rest of the 
community and all of the members of INTERPOL, all the police 
organizations that try to rely on that. And, of course, we are part of 
that. We could utilize that benefit.
  Mr. Speaker, the fact that Taiwan must rely on a convoluted process, 
with an added layer of bureaucracy, to access this critical information 
makes no sense. Taiwan regularly hosts the type of megaevents which 
often, unfortunately, attract terrorist activity, or they could.
  For example, in 2009 Taiwan hosted the World Games and had to rely 
solely on the United States to vet athletes and media lists, and with 
the U.S.' help, several suspicious persons were, in fact, identified. 
They were denied entry into Taiwan.
  In 2017 Taiwan will host the Summer Universiade, a student sporting 
event in which 900 athletes from 170 countries are expected to attend. 
This event is second only to the Olympics in the number of participants 
and countries that are represented.
  There must be a more streamlined way for Taiwan to access information 
from INTERPOL. As the number of visitors from Taiwan to the United 
States has grown exponentially, there is an urgent need to ensure that 
Taiwan's police forces have real-time access to information on criminal 
activities and on threats.
  Taiwan entered into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in 2012. Since then, 
the number of Taiwanese visitors to the United States has increased by 
nearly 42 percent. From my home State of California, the increase in 
visitors from Taiwan has been a boon to the economy.
  I am proud to have worked on Taiwan's entry into the Visa Waiver 
Program because I know that, as a result of this agreement, Taiwanese 
Americans in southern California have a much easier time staying 
connected to their families, and business travelers are having an 
easier time, too.
  That is why I am also supporting Taiwan's participation in Customs 
and Border Protection's Global Entry program, which will make two-way 
travel even easier.
  Mr. Speaker, strengthening Taiwan's law enforcement capabilities 
benefits American citizens as much as it does the Taiwanese. Every year 
tens of thousands of Americans travel to Taiwan, and this bill will 
certainly help Taiwan's police forces protect American citizens 
traveling in Taiwan.
  INTERPOL's constitution allows for observers at its meetings by 
police bodies which are not members of the organization. And so I am 
confident Taiwan will be able to be an observer.
  H.R. 1853 will support Taiwan's efforts to gain observer status with 
INTERPOL. It is going to improve everybody's security. Mr. Speaker, we 
must constantly be pressing to ensure that security across the globe is 
protected.
  Taiwan's unique political status has thus far hindered its inclusion 
in INTERPOL and is a vulnerable loophole for criminals and, frankly, 
for terrorists to target. With this piece of legislation, we are 
sending a clear message that safety is a priority.
  I want to again commend Representative Matt Salmon of Arizona, 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and, of course, 
Mr. Engel and Mr. Sherman for authoring and introducing this important 
measure. I appreciated working with them on it.
  I will just say this of Mr. Salmon as well. He has a longstanding 
interest in Taiwan. His leadership on this measure is very much 
appreciated by all of us.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close on my side. I yield 
myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page 16937]]

  As I have said, we need to use every tool available to combat 
terrorism and disrupt criminal networks around the world. It only makes 
sense to have more partners at the table in that effort.
  So bringing Taiwan back into INTERPOL as an observer just makes 
common sense. The more participants in INTERPOL, the more good the 
organization can do. We should do all we can to bring willing 
contributors off the sidelines.
  Again, Taiwan was a member and was thrown out when everyone 
recognized People's Republic of China. There is room for both. There 
should be both.
  I again want to commend my friend, Mr. Salmon, who is largely 
responsible for this, and our chairman, Mr. Royce, who I think has more 
people from Taiwan in his district than virtually any other district in 
the country. So he knows quite a bit about Taiwan and quite a bit about 
what should be done.
  It is something that we are all saying the same thing. It makes sense 
for Taiwan. It makes sense for the United States. It makes sense for 
INTERPOL. I encourage my colleagues to support this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of H.R. 1853, 
directing the President to develop a strategy to obtain observer status 
for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization 
(INTERPOL).
  As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, 
Homeland Security, and Investigations, the empowerment of law 
enforcement in order that they be able to carry out their mandate in 
upholding the rule of law and preservation of peace and security are 
imperatives I believe we must continue to seek to facilitate.
  Our world today is fraught with global terrorism, with groups 
utilizing information sharing and technologies to advance their 
vitriolic causes.
  This is why organizing, inclusion and empowerment of nations willing 
to work together to combat domestic and global terrorism is in our 
global and national security interest.
  This measure facilitates the United States' and the global 
community's ability to move swiftly to empower police and law 
enforcement in our collective efforts of coordinating, preempting and 
acting swiftly in unison in combatting terrorism, crisis prevention and 
response.
  I join this bipartisan measure which seeks to facilitate INTERPOL 
member states' efforts to promote Taiwan's ability to bid to obtain 
observer status in the INTERPOL.
  Indeed, since 1964, Taiwan had maintained full membership, but was 
ejected 20 years later when the People's Republic of China (PRC) 
applied for membership.
  Part of what the United States Administration can do is to take the 
lead in endorsing Taiwan in obtaining its observer status.
  The United States has expressed its affirmative intentions in support 
of Taiwan's participation in appropriate international organizations, 
as delineated in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review.
  For instance, Public Law 108-235 authorized the Secretary of State to 
initiate and implement a plan to endorse and obtain observer status at 
the annual World Health Assembly for six consecutive years, owing to 
Taiwan's significant contribution to the global community's efforts of 
addressing pandemic control and global public health issues of our day.
  Indeed, the INTERPOL's constitution allows observer status at 
meetings by police entities who are not members of the Organization.
  The current status of non-membership status preludes Taiwan from 
gaining access to INTERPOL's I-24/7 global communications systems, an 
important real time information sharing infrastructure on domestic and 
global criminals.
  The current state of affairs relegates Taiwan to hearsay or second 
hand information from friendly nations such as the United States.
  This impedes Taiwan's ability to move swiftly in information 
acquisition as it relates to its domestic and global crime fighting 
efforts.
  As a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security, global and 
national security is very important to me.
  This measure seeks to protect our security interests in Taiwan as 
well as the global security of the world.
  Taiwan's inaccessibility to critical information readily made 
available to its law enforcement forces places our entire world at 
risk.
  This measure seeks to facilitate Taiwan's direct and unobstructed 
participation in the International Criminal Police which promotes 
global security.
  I support and urge the support of this measure because it is 
beneficial for all nations and their police authorities to be able to 
share information with authorized police authorities in their law 
enforcement and peacekeeping efforts in combatting local and global 
crimes, including the contemporary crime of terrorism.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1853.
  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. ROYCE. 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.

                          ____________________