U.S. House Keeps Taiwan Security Funding in Annual Defense Bill
On September 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), H.R. 3838, which includes measures to bolster Taiwan’s defense. Amendments to cut funding for Taiwan and Ukraine were rejected, with the proposal to eliminate the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative overwhelmingly defeated, by a vote of 9–422, and the measure to bar Ukraine funding voted down, 60–372.
Key Implications: The bill authorizes nearly US$900 billion in military spending and includes provisions to streamline the defense acquisition process. It underscores bipartisan concern over China’s growing military threat and reaffirms U.S. security commitments to Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan Security Initiative: The NDAA allocates US$1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative in FY 2026, up from US$300 million in FY 2025. The program aims to enhance Taiwan’s military training, equipment, and capacity-building to strengthen deterrence against China’s aggression and malign influence.
Countering Gray-Zone Challenges: The bill requires the Pentagon to report to Congress with recommendations for helping Taiwan counter China’s persistent gray-zone coercion. This includes developing new capabilities and operational concepts, aligning efforts with conventional defense support, and enhancing U.S.-Taiwan consultative mechanisms.
Senate Version Next: The Senate is set to consider its version of the FY 2026 NDAA, which authorizes approximately US$32 billion more than the House bill. If passed, the House and Senate will convene a conference committee to reconcile differences before sending a compromise measure to President Donald Trump for signature or veto.
Sources:
[1] Taipei Times
[2] U.S. House Armed Services Committee
Taiwan Vows to Push for ICAO and UN Participation
On September 9, the Taiwan government said it is seeking an invitation to the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assembly, scheduled in Montreal from September 23 to October 3. Regardless of the outcome, an action team will travel to Canada to advocate for Taiwan’s participation. The government will also seek international support for Taiwan’s inclusion in the United Nations (UN) during the 80th General Assembly, which opened in New York on September 8.
Taipei FIR’s Global Importance: Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Kuo-hsien highlighted that Taiwan manages the Taipei Flight Information Region (FIR), a key hub between Northeast and Southeast Asia that handled about 1.64 million flights last year.
“From a geopolitical perspective, Taiwan has close air transport relations with countries in the region, and inviting the nation to participate in the ICAO would make regional cooperation more complete,” Lin said, adding that “Flight safety is without borders.”
Seeking Support at the UN: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ger Baushuan said Taiwan will also seek international backing during the 80th UN General Assembly in New York, where the General Debate will run from September 23 to 27. The government has asked diplomatic allies and partners to support Taiwan’s inclusion in the UN system through speeches at the General Debate or letters to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Countering Beijing’s Narrative: Ger added that Taiwan would continue to counter Beijing’s misuse of UN Resolution 2758, which in 1971 recognized the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as “the only legitimate representatives of China” to the UN, but did not mention Taiwan.
The resolution does not authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in the UN system, nor does it state that Taiwan is part of China, Ger said. “Only the government elected by Taiwanese can represent Taiwan,” he added.
