Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1512) to amend the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to require periodic reviews and updated reports relating to the Department of State's Taiwan Guidelines, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5

legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleague, Mrs. Wagner, and in support of the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act. This bill reaffirms and strengthens the United States' commitment to Taiwan, one of our most important democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Taiwan is under growing pressure from an increasingly aggressive Chinese Communist Party. Xi Jinping has made no secret of his intentions. Folding Taiwan into the People's Republic of China is central to his vision of national rejuvenation. He has made it clear he is willing to use force to make that happen.

The warning signs are in plain view. China is ramping up aerial incursions, conducting illegal exercises that simulate a blockade around Taiwan, threatening sanctions against Taiwanese industries, and relentlessly targeting Taipei with economic and political intimidation.

If we are serious about countering the CCP's ambition to displace the United States as a global leader, then we have to act with clarity and conviction. That starts with standing firm alongside Taiwan. We need to deepen our economic security and diplomatic cooperation with Taiwan and do so transparently and without apology.

Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, the State Department too often handcuffed U.S.-Taiwan engagement by clinging to outdated, self-imposed restrictions and bureaucratic red tape, weakening a vital partnership at a time when unity and strength are urgently needed. That is unacceptable.

The Taiwan Assurance Act passed with bipartisan support in 2020, but the stakes are even higher today. That is why this bill updates and strengthens the original law, ensuring that U.S. policy toward Taiwan reflects today's strategic reality, not yesterday's hesitations.

By removing self-imposed limitations on how we engage with Taiwan, we send a clear message to Beijing: The United States stands with free nations, and we will not be bullied into silence.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner), the sponsor of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, Taiwan is not just a partner. It is a front line for democracy, and how we treat our friends in times of pressure defines our credibility around the globe.

If we are serious about countering the CCP, we have to pass this piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to vote for H.R. 1512, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1512, the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is undeniable that the People's Republic of China is the single gravest threat to our national security. It is undeniable that China has increased its destabilizing military activities in the Pacific. It is undeniable that China has its sights set on the full- scale invasion of Taiwan.

The United States must not waver in our deterrence of this threat and our support for this nation.

Just last month, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command testified to Congress that China escalated military pressure against Taiwan by 300 percent last year. Commander Paparo explicitly warned that these ``aggressive maneuvers around Taiwan are not just exercises. They are dress rehearsals for forced unification.''

It is imperative that the full weight of the United States stands firmly and publicly against these provocations.

For decades, our Nation employed a strategy of opacity, restricting our formal engagement with Taiwan to avoid upsetting or insulting the Chinese Communist Party.

In 2020, this body enacted the Taiwan Assurance Act, and the first Trump administration moved decisively to implement this new policy by declaring all self-imposed restrictions null and void.

Unfortunately, the Biden administration waffled and rolled back many of these diplomatic standards. Under my legislation, all administrations, now and into the future, will be required to periodically update these regulations, specifically with the goal of deepening and expanding U.S.-Taiwan relations.

We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners in the Pacific to deter the Chinese threat. I am proud to say that enacting this legislation, the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, will be a decisive step forward to ensuring peace through strength.

Mr. Speaker, I close by acknowledging my close friend and co-lead of this legislation, Congressman Gerry Connolly, for his work on this legislation. Congressman Connolly is a respected voice of authority on this issue and a tireless champion for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. It has been an absolute honor to work with the Congressman on this legislation and so many other issues.

Mr. Speaker, Gerry and his entire family remain in our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 1512. In the 118th Congress, this body came together to overwhelmingly pass this bipartisan measure from Representatives Wagner, Connolly, and Lieu 404-7, and I see no reason why today's vote should be any less supportive.

It is critical that the United States shows unwavering support for our friend Taiwan in the face of the PRC's persistent use of economic, political, and military coercion against it.

Just last month, the PRC conducted large-scale drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan in a dangerous and destabilizing show of force. I heard these concerns reinforced recently during a congressional visit to the Pacific countries.

Under such tense circumstances, we must work to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait by bolstering deterrence and redoubling our commitment to the U.S. One China policy.

While providing Taiwan with the weapons to defend itself, we must also strengthen our unofficial relationship with Taiwan in the cultural and economic space and build resilience in Taiwan against PRC gray zone tactics.

Since 1979, in order to build a bilateral relationship with China, our government has maintained internal executive department guidelines to limit official interactions with Taiwan consistent with our One China policy. This bill simply directs the executive to report the guidelines to Congress every 5 years so that Congress is aware of them.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is a friend and a fellow democracy that we should continue to engage with warmth and respect.

The United States needs a Taiwan policy that works for us and Taiwan while upholding our longstanding One China policy, which has kept Taiwan safe for over four decades.

Madam Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me and support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1512 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.