May 7, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 75 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session
All in House sectionPrev25 of 108Next
REAFFIRMING UNITED STATES COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN AND TO IMPLEMENTATION OF TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 75
(House of Representatives - May 07, 2019)
Text available as:
Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages H3457-H3459] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REAFFIRMING UNITED STATES COMMITMENT TO TAIWAN AND TO IMPLEMENTATION OF TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 273) reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 273 Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) was signed into law on April 10, 1979, codifying into law the basis for continued commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan, and serving as the foundation to preserve and promote continued bilateral bonds; Whereas the TRA enshrines 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 pursuant to section 1206 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228; 22 U.S.C. 2321k note.), Taiwan is to be treated as though it were designated a major non-NATO ally for transfers of defense articles or defense services; 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; Whereas the TRA and the Six Assurances are cornerstones of United States policy with respect to Taiwan, as was reaffirmed by the House of Representatives with the adoption of H. Con. Res. 88 in 2016; 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 the United States and Taiwan have forged ever closer economic and security relations over the last four decades based on their shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and free market principles, and their willingness to partner in efforts to combat global terrorism 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 the United States-Taiwan partnership has been further strengthened since the 2015 memorandum of understanding establishing the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), which has allowed the two parties to cohost many workshops on critical topics, including one in December 2018 on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to which ten regional governments sent participants; Whereas Taiwan has the expertise, willingness, and capability to engage in international efforts to mitigate global challenges related to such issues as public health, aviation safety, crime, and terrorism, but its participation in such efforts has been constrained by conditions imposed by the People's Republic of China (PRC); Whereas successive Congresses have called upon the executive branch to develop strategies to obtain meaningful participation for Taiwan in international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); Whereas the Congress most recently expressed support for Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly as an observer on January 22, 2019, with the adoption of H.R. 353 by the House of Representatives; Whereas communication on bilateral security, cultural, and commercial interests would be greatly enhanced with the full implementation of the Taiwan Travel Act (Public Law 115-135), which became law on March 16, 2018, and which states that the United States Government ``should encourage visits between officials from the United States and Taiwan at all levels''; Whereas the United States and Taiwan have built a strong economic partnership, with the United States now Taiwan's third largest trading partner and with Taiwan the 11th largest trading partner of the United States and a key destination for United States agricultural exports; Whereas 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 Whereas successive Congresses have publicly reaffirmed United States commitments to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, including most recently on December 31, 2018, with the enactment into law of the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-409), which stated among other things that-- (1) it is United States policy ``to support the close economic, political, and security relationship between Taiwan and the United States''; (2) ``The President should conduct regular transfers of defense articles to Taiwan that are tailored to meet the existing and likely 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 (3) ``The President should encourage the travel of high- level United States officials to Taiwan, in accordance with the Taiwan Travel Act.'': Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) reaffirms that the Taiwan Relations Act, together with the Six Assurances, are and will remain cornerstones of United States relations with Taiwan; (2) encourages United States officials at all levels to travel to meet with their counterparts in Taiwan, and for high-level Taiwan officials to enter the United States and meet with United States officials, per the Taiwan Travel Act; (3) reiterates that the President should conduct regular transfers of defense articles to Taiwan consistent with Taiwan's national security requirements in accordance to prior legislation, including the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-409); (4) calls on the Secretary of State to actively engage internationally in support of Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations engaged in addressing transnational threats and challenges such as those related to health, aviation security, and crime and terrorism; (5) recognizes Taiwan's partnership in combating global terrorism, including as a full partner in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and in addressing other global challenges through the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) and other such initiatives; (6) underscores the importance of the close people-to- people ties cultivated through initiatives such as the Fulbright Program, which has supported thousands of scholar and grantee exchanges between the United States and Taiwan over the past 60 years; and (7) acknowledges the important work done by the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in support of United States-Taiwan interests. [[Page H3458]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. McCaul) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey. General Leave Mr. SIRES. 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 H. Res. 273, reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New Jersey? There was no objection. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 273, reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act. Signed into law four decades ago, the Taiwan Relations Act marked the first and most significant act of support for Taiwan by Congress. It unequivocally demonstrates our support to Taiwan. Along with the Six Assurances, this act remains the bedrock of our deep partnership with Taiwan. With the support of this landmark piece of legislation and in the 40 years since, the United States has deepened security, economic, and people-to-people ties with Taiwan. Our two nations have worked together to maintain peace, security, and stability in the Pacific through our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Unfortunately, China seeks to diminish Taiwan's presence on the world stage. We must fully use the tools at our disposal to fight back against these efforts. It is important that Congress must do what we can to honor our commitment to Taiwan. That is why I have long been a proud co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus and why I support this measure. H. Res. 273 reaffirms our commitment to the people of Taiwan, encourages high-level engagement as called for in the Taiwan Travel Act, promotes Taiwan's meaningful engagement in international organizations, and calls to deepen cultural ties. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act. I also want to thank my good friend Chairman Engel and Congressman Sires for offering this resolution, which gives us an opportunity to reflect on the importance of U.S.-Taiwan relations at a very critical time. As the House considers this measure today, the United States and Taiwan share in a celebration, the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which occurred on April 10 of this year. The Taiwan Relations Act remains one of Congress' most distinguished and lasting contributions to U.S. foreign policy. The TRA built an unshakable foundation for U.S.-Taiwan relations, and the people of Taiwan have repaid this gesture by transforming Taiwan into a beacon of democracy and individual liberties. As is often said, Taiwan is a force for good in the world. Reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Taiwan at this moment is also essential because we are standing together to face a growing threat. Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping is using all the tools at his disposal--military, economic, informational, and diplomatic--to try to destroy Taiwan's democracy. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to remind him once again that he will not succeed on our watch. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), the senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a former chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation. Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 273, which reaffirms the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act, or TRA. As a longtime friend of the people of Taiwan, a founding co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, and a cosponsor of this resolution, I want to thank Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul for their work to support our critical bilateral relationship with Taiwan. {time} 1615 This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which together with President Reagan's Six Assurances, serve as the foundation for the relationship between our two countries, and I mean countries. Since the TRA was signed in 1979, Taiwan has become a vibrant, consolidated democracy, one of our most important trading partners and a model in so many areas for the rest of Asia and the whole world, really. Going forward, we must continue to implement the TRA and do better at fully appreciating the policy commitments it contains. With that in mind, I urge the President to immediately finalize an arms sales package with Taiwan as well as begin negotiations for a free trade agreement. As China's influence grows, our commitment to Taiwan will be the bellwether of our commitment to democracy in Asia. We do not owe China a vote in how we treat Taiwan. If we are equivocal in our support for Taiwan in the face of Chinese pressure, how can we credibly support democracy and democratic values when they are threatened elsewhere? I also want to voice my support for H.R. 2002, Ranking Member McCaul's Taiwan Assurance Act. This legislation takes important steps to advance our bilateral relationship, including support for arms sales and for Taiwan's participation in international organizations. It would also require a review of the State Department's, I believe, unreasonable guidelines for Taiwan's diplomatic staff here in the U.S. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I wish the legislation did not refer to the misguided U.S. One-China policy, but I understand that it was included as part of negotiations with the Senate. Finally, the Taiwan Assurance Act requires a report on implementation of the Taiwan Travel Act, legislation that I introduced last Congress to increase high-level visits between U.S. and Taiwanese officials. Since the bill became law a little over a year ago, we have seen not enough action, and I believe that it is past time for full implementation of this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, as we mark the TRA's 40th anniversary, H. Res. 273 and H.R. 2002 are critical to strengthening our enduring relationship with Taiwan as we look forward to the next 40 years, so I would urge my colleagues to support both of them. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and would inquire through the Speaker if my colleague has any remaining speakers on his side. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, H. Res. 273, reaffirming our commitments made to Taiwan 40 years ago and strengthens our ability to fulfill them. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 273. 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. SIRES. 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. [[Page H3459]] ____________________
All in House sectionPrev25 of 108Next