March 3, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 42 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Pages H1452-H1454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TAIWAN ALLIES INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE 
                          (TAIPEI) ACT OF 2019

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (S. 1678) to express United States support for Taiwan's diplomatic 
alliances around the world, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 1678

       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 Allies International 
     Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-8) 
     states that it is the policy of the United States ``to 
     preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly 
     commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people 
     of the United States and the people on Taiwan''.
       (2) The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 states that it is the 
     policy of the United States ``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''.
       (3) Taiwan is a free, democratic, and prosperous nation of 
     23,000,000 people and an important contributor to peace and 
     stability around the world.
       (4) Since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen as 
     President of Taiwan in 2016, the Government of the People's 
     Republic of China has intensified its efforts to pressure 
     Taiwan.
       (5) Since 2016, the Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, Panama, 
     the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, the 
     Solomon Islands, and Kiribati have severed diplomatic 
     relations with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations with 
     China.
       (6) Taiwan currently maintains full diplomatic relations 
     with 15 nations around the world.
       (7) Taiwan's unique relationship with the United States, 
     Australia, India, Japan, and other countries are of 
     significant benefit in strengthening Taiwan's economy and 
     preserving its international space.
       (8) According to President Tsai Ing-wen, the severance of 
     diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of diplomatic relations 
     with China is ``part of a series of diplomatic and military 
     acts of coercion'' by China.
       (9) The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 (Public Law 
     115-409) states that--
       (A) it is United States policy ``to support the close 
     economic, political, and security relationship between Taiwan 
     and the United States''; and
       (B) the President should--
       (i) ``conduct regular transfers of defense articles to 
     Taiwan that are tailored to meet the existing and likely 
     future 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
       (ii) ``encourage the travel of high-level United States 
     officials to Taiwan, in accordance with the Taiwan Travel 
     Act''.

     SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS 
                   WITH TAIWAN.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the United States and Taiwan have built a strong 
     economic partnership, with the United States now Taiwan's 
     second largest trading partner and with Taiwan the 11th 
     largest trading partner of the United States and a key 
     destination for United States agricultural exports;
       (2) 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
       (3) the United States Trade Representative should consult 
     with Congress on opportunities for further strengthening 
     bilateral trade and economic relations between the United 
     States and Taiwan.

     SEC. 4. POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH REGARD TO TAIWAN'S 
                   PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

       It should be the policy of the United States--
       (1) to advocate, as appropriate--
       (A) for Taiwan's membership in all international 
     organizations in which statehood is not a requirement and in 
     which the United States is also a participant; and
       (B) for Taiwan to be granted observer status in other 
     appropriate international organizations;
       (2) to instruct, as appropriate, representatives of the 
     United States Government in all organizations described in 
     paragraph (1) to use the voice, vote, and influence of the 
     United States to advocate for Taiwan's membership or observer 
     status in such organizations; and
       (3) for the President or the President's designees to 
     advocate, as appropriate, for Taiwan's membership or observer 
     status in all

[[Page H1453]]

     organizations described in paragraph (1) as part of any 
     relevant bilateral engagements between the United States and 
     the People's Republic of China, including leader summits and 
     the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue.

     SEC. 5. STRENGTHENING OF TIES WITH TAIWAN.

       (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the United States Government should--
       (1) support Taiwan in strengthening its official diplomatic 
     relationships as well as other partnerships with countries in 
     the Indo-Pacific region and around the world;
       (2) consider, in certain cases as appropriate and in 
     alignment with United States interests, increasing its 
     economic, security, and diplomatic engagement with nations 
     that have demonstrably strengthened, enhanced, or upgraded 
     relations with Taiwan; and
       (3) consider, in certain cases as appropriate, in alignment 
     with United States foreign policy interests and in 
     consultation with Congress, altering its economic, security, 
     and diplomatic engagement with nations that take serious or 
     significant actions to undermine the security or prosperity 
     of Taiwan.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for five 
     years, the Secretary of State shall report to the appropriate 
     congressional committees on the steps taken in accordance 
     with subsection (a).
       (c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on 
     Appropriations, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate; 
     and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
     Appropriations, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the 
     House of Representatives.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Curtis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Rhode Island.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CICILLINE. 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 S. 1678.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Rhode Island?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States shares a special relationship with 
Taiwan, rooted in a wide range of shared values. Yes, Taiwan is a 
vibrant democracy. That is the core of our friendship. At the same 
time, Taiwan is a model global citizen, making extraordinary 
contributions to global health, aviation safety, and other areas aimed 
at improving people's lives. It is this spirit of generosity and 
commitment to building a safer, more stable world that makes Taiwan 
such a valuable partner.
  This stands in sharp relief to the record of the People's Republic of 
China. It is a comparison the Chinese Government doesn't seem to like, 
based on the PRC's constant attempt to restrict Taiwan's ability to 
operate on the global stage, including efforts by Beijing to poach 
Taiwan's diplomatic partners.
  The Chinese Government is a bully. They want to try to isolate 
Taiwan, and their tactics shouldn't go unanswered.
  This bill, the TAIPEI Act, would help us provide a part of that 
answer. It calls on the administration to examine our policies toward 
countries that take steps that undermine Taiwan. It calls on the 
administration to take additional steps to ensure that Taiwan can 
participate in international organizations, and supports Taiwan's 
efforts to build stronger partnerships with other countries around the 
world.
  However, perhaps the most important thing that we can do for Taiwan 
is to push the U.S. Trade Representative to look for new ways to ramp 
up bilateral trade and economic ties with Taiwan. Giving Taiwan 
economic alternatives will be critical for Taiwan's economic future and 
will benefit the United States.
  This is good legislation, and it sends a strong and important message 
to our friends in Taiwan and to the Chinese Government.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad to support this measure, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                Washington, DC, February 25, 2020.
     Hon. Eliot L. Engel,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Engel: In recognition of the desire to 
     expedite consideration of S. 1678, ``Taiwan Allies 
     International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act of 
     2019,'' the Committee on Ways and Means agrees to waive 
     formal consideration of the bill as to provisions that fall 
     within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and 
     Means.
       The Committee on Ways and Means takes this action with the 
     mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction 
     over the subject matter contained in this or similar 
     legislation, and the Committee will be appropriately 
     consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation 
     moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues 
     within our jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the 
     right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of 
     conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or 
     similar legislation.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming this understanding and would ask that a copy of 
     our exchange of letter on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during floor consideration of S. 1678.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Richard E. Neal,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                                 Committee on Foreign Affairs,

                                Washington, DC, February 27, 2020.
     Hon. Richard E. Neal,
     Committee on Ways and Means,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Neal: I am writing to you concerning S. 1678, 
     the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement 
     Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019. I appreciate your 
     willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation.
       I acknowledge that provisions of the bill fall within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means under House 
     Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on S. 1678 
     to expedite floor consideration. I further acknowledge that 
     the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does 
     not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the matters 
     contained in the bill that fall within your jurisdiction. I 
     will also support the appointment of Committee on Ways and 
     Means conferees during any House-Senate conference convened 
     on this legislation.
       Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your 
     cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to 
     continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the 
     legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Eliot L. Engel,
                                                         Chairman.

                              {time}  1245

  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support my bill, the TAIPEI Act, which 
does three important things.
  First, it endorses a U.S.-Taiwan free trade agreement.
  Second, it supports Taiwan's membership in international 
institutions.
  Third, finally, this bill helps Taiwan maintain partners and allies 
around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, when I was a young missionary living in Taiwan in 1979, 
I could hardly imagine that the day would come when I could stand here 
and help return the favor of 40 years ago of their friendship and 
kindness to me as a young man living amongst them. My time in the 
region gave me a unique understanding of the history and the culture of 
these great people.
  The TAIPEI Act strengthens our relationship with our partner, Taiwan, 
and it does this without spending a single U.S. tax dollar.
  I thank Senator Gardner, the Senate sponsor, for working with me on 
this bill, as well as the bipartisan group of 47 Representatives who 
cosponsored this important legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I again thank my colleagues for their 
support on the TAIPEI Act. It will make a powerful statement for us to 
pass this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
for the purpose of closing.
  Mr. Speaker, when China works to intimidate and isolate a partner of 
the United States, one that shares our values, our commitment to 
democracy, our vision for engagement around, we should stand by our 
partner's side. That is what American leadership is supposed to look 
like.
  That is exactly what we see happening with Taiwan, and if we really 
support the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, we need to help our partner get 
out

[[Page H1454]]

from under China's thumb. This bill would help to do that and would 
send a clear signal of the importance we place on the U.S.-China 
relationship.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill so we can send 
it to the President's desk, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, S. 1678, as amended.
  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. CICILLINE. 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.

                          ____________________