Senate Committee Advances Key Legislation to Strengthen Taiwan’s Defense and International Standing
In an October 23 statement, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) commended the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee for its bipartisan leadership on October 22 in advancing two key bills on FAPA’s legislative agenda — the PORCUPINE Act and the Taiwan International Solidarity Act — aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities and expanding its international space.
At the same markup hearing, the Committee also approved additional pro-Taiwan measures, including the Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act and the United States-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act, underscoring strong and enduring bipartisan support in Congress for Taiwan’s security and international standing amid China’s intensifying aggression.
Streamlining Arms Sales to Taiwan
The Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act, or PORCUPINE Act (S.1744), introduced by Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), aims to fast-track U.S. arms sales and transfers to Taiwan. By designating Taiwan as a “NATO Plus” partner — placing it in the same category as Japan, South Korea, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand — the bill would reduce congressional notification periods and raise the monetary thresholds for defense sales. It also establishes an expedited mechanism to facilitate third-party transfers of U.S.-made defense articles and services from NATO and NATO-Plus countries to Taiwan.
Strengthening Taiwan’s International Standing
The Taiwan International Solidarity Act (S.2224), sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and John Curtis (R-UT), directly challenges China’s false sovereignty claims over Taiwan. It rebuts Beijing’s misuse of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, clarifying that the U.N. resolution does not address or determine Taiwan’s sovereignty or international representation. The bill directs the U.S. government to oppose China’s diplomatic coercion and support Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. It further reaffirms that any change to Taiwan’s status must have the consent of the people of Taiwan. Its House companion bill (H.R.2416) passed by voice vote on May 5, 2025, demonstrating strong bipartisan consensus across both chambers.
Deterring China’s Aggression and Backing Taiwan’s Allies
The Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act (S.2960) would establish economic tools and a dedicated task force to enable swift U.S. sanctions and responses to any military or non-military aggression by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against Taiwan, including cyberattacks, blockades, the seizure of outlying islands, or attempts to overthrow Taiwan’s government. Meanwhile, the United States-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act (S.2684) seeks to strengthen cooperation with the seven Latin American and Caribbean countries that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, countering Beijing’s coercion and financial inducements aimed at flipping or eroding those partnerships.
FAPA’s Advocacy and Grassroots Mobilization
In its October 23 statement, FAPA National President Dr. Su-Mei Kao highlighted FAPA’s successful advocacy efforts, noting that the PORCUPINE Act and the Taiwan International Solidarity Act are among the organization’s top legislative priorities. She added that FAPA continued to advance these measures following its National Advocacy Conference in September, where 112 members from 24 chapters across 16 states met with over 130 congressional offices to advocate for Taiwan and deeper U.S.-Taiwan relations.
Dr. Kao noted that FAPA also launched a nationwide petition, mobilizing over 800 supporters who sent more than 1,500 letters to the Senate within days. She urged the swift passage of the bills in the Senate, emphasizing that credible deterrence remains the surest path to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Sources:
[1] FAPA (Full Statement)
[2] Focus Taiwan
[3] Taipei Times
Bill Introduced in the Senate to Allow Taiwan’s “Symbols of Sovereignty”
On October 20, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty (Taiwan SOS) Act (S.3018), joined by Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). The bill seeks to permit Taiwanese diplomats, military service members, and other government officials to openly display Taiwan’s “symbols of sovereignty” — including emblems, insignia, and flags — and wear their uniforms while in the United States on official business.
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Why it Matters
Lifting these restrictions in official settings in the United States is both a symbolic and substantive step toward strengthening bilateral relations. It moves toward normalizing the treatment of Taiwanese representatives in the U.S. and signals Washington’s continued commitment to supporting Taiwan amid mounting pressure and coercion from Beijing.
In an October 21 press release, Sen. Cruz stated, “The Chinese Communist Party is committed to eroding Taiwan’s global status, and the United States should be just as committed to strengthening it.”
Sen. Blackburn emphasized, “Taiwan is a sovereign nation, and the U.S. should not support Communist China’s efforts to undermine its independence by restricting Taiwanese diplomats and service members from displaying their flag.”
Sen. Young noted that “Taiwan’s government, military, and people deserve to be treated with the same respect and recognition we afford other countries. Our bill will strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations and stand up to the Chinese Communist Party’s coercion.” ㅤ
Background
The legislation seeks to reverse a 2015 guideline that prohibits Taiwanese symbols of sovereignty from being displayed at official U.S. government functions. Sen. Cruz has previously introduced similar bills in 2020 and 2022. The bill’s language was advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2021 and was incorporated into the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), which passed the Senate but was not ultimately enacted into law.
