FAPA Urges Swift Senate Action as Foreign Relations Committee Advances Three Taiwan Bills
On January 29, 2026, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), during its first business meeting of the year, advanced three bipartisan Taiwan bills, including the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act (S.2722), the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act (S.2222), and the Taiwan Allies Fund Act (S.1216). This early committee action signals that Taiwan policy remains a top bipartisan legislative priority in 2026 and demonstrates a resolute commitment to safeguarding Taiwan’s security and resilience amid escalating gray-zone and regional challenges.
Why It Matters
Beyond traditional military deterrence, the three bills advanced by the SFRC reflect growing congressional attention to China’s gray-zone coercion against Taiwan. This momentum builds on the recent landmark efforts to address conventional military threats, including the congressional authorization of $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) in the FY2026 NDAA and the clearance of major $11.1 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) packages in December 2025.
Taiwan has experienced repeated disruptions to its undersea cables in recent years. Since 2023, at least 11 cases of damage to undersea cables around Taiwan have been reported. Recent New York Times reporting has also revealed China’s deployment of thousands of maritime militia vessels in coordinated, geometric formations across the East China Sea—a demonstration of mobilization capabilities that could be utilized for blockade-style tactics to severely disrupt Taiwan’s energy supply.
Congressional Support
- The Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act (S.2722), introduced by Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE), addresses Taiwan’s energy vulnerability. “Strengthening Taiwan’s resilience is central to deterrence,” Sen. Ricketts underscored, noting that the bill would expand U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Taiwan and help secure energy supplies in a contingency.
- The Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act (S.2222), sponsored by Sen. John Curtis (R-UT), targets China’s gray-zone tactics against critical infrastructure. “We can’t stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including sabotaging its vital undersea cables,” Sen. Curtis noted, emphasizing that the U.S. stands with Taiwan in defending its infrastructure, sovereignty, and freedom.
- The bicameral Taiwan Allies Fund Act (S.1216), introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and paired with a House companion bill (H.R.2559) introduced by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), aims to support Taiwan’s international space and strengthen its network of diplomatic partners.
Implications
Strong bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan strengthens credible deterrence against China’s aggressionand safeguards Taiwan’s sovereignty. In a January 30 statement, Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) National President Dr. Su-Mei Kao lauded the committee’s advancement of the three Taiwan bills and urged Senate leadership to act swiftly to move the bills to the Senate floor for final passage without delay.
With the SFRC setting the pace, FAPA will carry this momentum into the next phase of advocacy. We will continue working with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s office to advance the Taiwan Allies Fund Act in the House, where the bill has been incorporated into the State Department Reauthorization package.
Sources:
[1] Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) [2] S.2722 (Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act) [3] S.2222 (Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act) [4] S.1216 & H.R.2559 (Taiwan Allies Fund Act) [5] Aljazeera [6] New York Times [7] Office of Sen. Pete Rickett [8] Office of Sen. John Curties [9] Select Committee on the CCP [10] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA)
Taiwan Joins “Pax Silica” Initiative, Marking a New Era of U.S.-Taiwan Economic Partnership
Led by U.S. Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg and Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫), senior U.S. and Taiwan officials have agreed to formally align Taiwan with the U.S.-led “Pax Silica” initiative by signing a joint statement endorsing its principles on January 27, 2026, during the 6th Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD).
“Pax Silica” is a U.S.-led strategic initiative to coordinate trusted supply chains for advanced technologies with a particular focus on AI and semiconductor supply-chain security. At its launch in December 2025, Taiwan was initially not listed as a founding signatory—instead participating as a guest contributor—even though Taiwan is the world’s leading producer of advanced semiconductors.
Held on January 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C., the dialogue focused on cooperation in AI-related supply chain security, drones, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals, while addressing progress in countering economic coercion, expanding cooperation in third countries, and reducing tax-related barriers to boost bilateral investment.
Why it Matters
The dialogue marks another significant step in the advancing U.S.–Taiwan economic partnership and global supply chain resilience.
Recently on January 15, a landmark U.S.–Taiwan trade deal reduced the U.S. reciprocal tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 percent, granted most-favored treatment for semiconductors and related products, and secured at least US$250 billion in Taiwanese direct investment across key U.S. industries.
In a January 18 statement, Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) National President Dr. Su-Mei Kao emphasized that expanding bilateral trade and investment strengthens the U.S.–Taiwan supply-chain partnership, supports U.S. manufacturing and job creation, and enhances economic resilience. She also urged the Senate to take immediate action to address the double taxation issue to further accelerate bilateral investment by passing the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act (S.199).
Congressional Attention
During a recent trip to Taiwan in late January, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) highlighted how investments in information technology, aerospace, and semiconductors—particularly by Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC—are reshaping Arizona’s economy by strengthening U.S. manufacturing and supporting high-paying jobs. Similarly, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed his hope to expand investment in the United States to further deepen bilateral ties.
Implications
Under President Lai’s administration, Taiwan is actively promoting a “non-red” supply chain among democratic partners across key strategic sectors, particularly in the drone and semiconductor industries, to reduce Chinese economic leverage. While the effectiveness and long-term impact remain to be seen, initiatives such as Taiwan’s participation in the U.S.-led Pax Silica framework reflect a growing alignment among like-minded partners.
Sources:
[1] Department of State [2] Department of State [3] Department of State [4] Focus Taiwan [5] Focus Taiwan [6] Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) [7] S.199 (U.S.-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act) [8] Office of Sen. Ruben Gallego [9] Taiwan Office of the President [10] Global Taiwan Institute (GTI)