House of Representatives to Proceed With Taiwan Aid as Separate Bill This Week
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed plans to promote foreign aid to Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel on Monday through three separate bills. Johnson described this move as following a “fruitful and productive” conference meeting with fellow GOP lawmakers. A fourth bill on other national security issues is expected to be released at a later date.
The bill on supplemental appropriations for assistance for the Indo-Pacific region intends to invest in the U.S. Navy, bolster U.S. forces and resources that are assisting Taiwan, replace existing equipment from Defense Department stocks, and expand the scope, magnitude, and length of existing security assistance to the Indo-Pacific region.
The text of the three bills on Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel was released on Wednesday. Johnson intends to give members 72 hours to review the texts before bringing the bills to the floor. All three bills are accessible here.
References:
[1] NBC News
[2] The Hill
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu to Become New National Security Council Secretary-General
Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Wu, will be the next National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General, President Tsai Ing-wen revealed during a meeting with a New Zealand delegation on Tuesday. Minister Wu had previously held this position from May 2016 to May 2017.
During the meeting, Tsai also introduced the incumbent Secretary-General to the President of Taiwan, Lin Chia-lung, as Taiwan’s next Foreign Minister, whose appointment to the position was announced last week by President-elect Lai Ching-te, along with other members of his new Cabinet.
Some perceived Tsai’s announcement as a departure from the norm, where the incoming administration makes such announcements. Taiwan’s Presidential Office clarified that the electoral team may make any personnel changes, and President-elect Lai’s team would confirm new government appointments.
