Taiwan Bills in Congress

117th Congress, 2021 - 2022

116th

Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act

The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act seeks to reverse U.S. long-held strategic ambiguity towards the defense to Taiwan. This Act also proposes several concrete policy initiatives that are critical to the bilateral defense cooperation, as lists:

  • Reinforces the long-standing U.S. policy on Taiwan by strengthening Taiwan’s ability to resist Communist China’s aggressive moves.
  • Helps Taiwan counter Communist China’s military buildup across the Taiwan straits.
  • Establishes a limited authorization for the President to use military force for the specific purpose of securing and protecting Taiwan against armed attack.
  • Demands Communist China renounce the use or threat of military force in unifying with Taiwan.
  • Establishes a series of security dialogues and combined military exercises between the U.S., Taiwan, and likeminded security partners.
  • Requires planning for coordinated military action in case of an attack on Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China.
  • Advises Taiwan to dedicate additional domestic resources towards its own defense, including the acquisition of asymmetric defensive weapons, reform of Taiwan’s reserve system, and engagement with the United States on cyber defense activities.
  • Encourages the Department of Defense to send appropriate personnel to enroll in Taiwan’s National Defense University.
  • Urges the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into negotiations with Taiwan on a bilateral trade agreement.
  • Encourages the U.S. President, or Secretary of State, to meet with the President of Taiwan on Taiwan soil.
  • Welcomes the President of Taiwan to address a Joint Meeting of Congress. 

Record

  • Introduced to House: 116th
  • Introduced to Senate: 116th 

Source: Sen. Rick Scott’s Office; Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s Office

Taiwan Fellowship Act

If passed, the Taiwan Fellowship Act would allow 10 U.S. federal government employees each year to work with their Taiwanese counterparts in those Taiwan government offices most relevant to their home agencies after receiving one year of intensive Mandarin language training. As US-Taiwan high-level exchanges are rather limited, we consider the working-level exchanges that this Act seeks to achieve extremely conducive to enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. If this legislation becomes law, Taiwan would be only the second country in the world to enjoy such a cooperative partnership program with the United States. We feel that this bill is very much complementary to the Taiwan Travel Act which FAPA successfully promoted.

Record

  • Introduced to House: 116th
  • Introduced to Senate: 116th 

Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act

Strengthen U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

Highlights the increasing Chinese threat to a free and open Indo-Pacific, including the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to unilaterally annex Taiwan through non-peaceful means and its attempts at undermining Taiwan’s vibrant democratic institutions. The bill requires the Executive Branch to take the following actions: 
  • Create an Interagency Taiwan Policy Task Force;
  • Require Senate confirmation for the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan;
  • Establish the US-Taiwan Cultural Exchange Foundation;
  • Include Taiwan in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises;
  • Develop strategies to counter CCP’s sharp power against Taiwan;
  • Negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan.

Record

  • Introduced to Senate: 116th

Taiwan Envoy Act

Senate Confirmation of AIT Director

The AIT Director, the U.S. de facto Ambassador to Taiwan, is appointed by the Secretary of State without checks and balances by the Congress. Taiwanese Americans would like to see the AIT Director confirmed by the Senate, which has the right to oversee US-Taiwan relations through such a confirmation process. 

Record

  • Introduced to House: 116th

Resolutions

H.R. 1173: To authorize the President to use military force for the purpose of securing and defending Taiwan against armed attack, and for other purposes.

International Participation

H.R. 497: To prohibit the use of funds to seek membership in the World Health Organization or to provide assessed or voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization.

H.R. 1168: To prohibit all United States assessed and voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization until such time as the membership in the World Health Organization of the People’s Republic of China is terminated and the Republic of China (Taiwan) is afforded full rights, privileges, and responsibilities as a Member State in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.

Record: 116th (H.R.6945)

H.R. 1145: To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.