Taiwan International Solidarity Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan Taiwan International Solidarity Act, to stand up for Taiwan's participation in international organizations against the backdrop of an emboldened and increasingly aggressive People's Republic of China (PRC). I thank Congresswoman Kim for her support for this bill. Our legislation responds to Beijing's persistent aggression by strengthening the TAIPEI Act of 2019, to clarify that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not preclude the United States from using its voice, vote, and influence to resist the PRC's reckless campaign against Taiwan's rightful place on the world stage.

The bipartisan Taiwan International Solidarity Act amends the TAIPEI Act of 2019, which passed by unanimous bipartisan support in a vote of 415-0. The Taiwan International Solidarity Act instructs the United States to use its voice, vote, and influence to resist Beijing's efforts to distort the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of international organizations regarding Taiwan. It encourages the United States to work with allies and partners to oppose the PRC's efforts to undermine Taiwan's diplomatic relationships and partnerships globally. It expands reporting requirements to include information relating to any prior or ongoing attempts by the PRC to undermine Taiwan's participation in international organizations as well as its critical ties and relationships with other countries.

Over the past decade, the PRC has successfully weaponized a distorted interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 which recognizes the PRC as China's representative to that body in 1971.

It is no secret that the PRC has leveraged its growing influence in the United Nations and international organizations to prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international forums and silence Taiwan's technical and scientific expertise. Delegates from Taiwan attended the World Health Assembly as non-voting observers from 2009 to 2016, but in 2016 the PRC successfully bullied enough member states to rescind that invitation. The denial of Taiwan's participation at the International Civil Aviation

Organization poses a direct threat to aviation safety. Without member status at Interpol, Taiwan is denied access to crucial information that can be used to fight international criminal activity.

We face unprecedented health and security threats here in the United States and abroad and Taiwan's distinct capabilities, public health expertise, democratic governance, and advanced technology underscore the need for this essential legislation.

The PRC has made its malign intentions crystal clear; they have made ludicrous claims over the entire South China Sea. They have engaged in or threatened kinetic activity on the Indian border, Vietnamese border, and of course the Taiwan Strait. They have also recently increased their large-scale drills in the waters and airspace around Taiwan threatening peace and stability in Taiwan and in the surrounding region.

Any decision by the PRC to intimidate, bully, and exclude Taiwan will not be condoned or tolerated by the United States or the United States Congress. The United States, in spirit of the Taiwan Relations Act, must continue to reject any unilateral aggression against Taiwan, including within international organizations and bodies. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2416, the Taiwan International Solidarity Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Representative Connolly, for his work in developing this bill. As has been said on this floor earlier, we know that he can't be with us today, and we send our best wishes and our prayers to him and his family as he continues his courageous battle with cancer.

Representative Connolly is among the hardest working Members of Congress and the most dedicated public servants in the United States. He is as tough as they come, and I know he is going to keep fighting. Our thoughts and prayers are truly with him.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan measure, which will strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties, showcase our support for Taiwan, and help counter Beijing's coercive influence around the world.

U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains consistent across administrations and guided by the Taiwan Relations Act. What has changed, though, is Beijing's increasingly aggressive international campaign to exclude Taiwan from the international community through intimidation, coercion, and distortion of established and well-accepted norms.

To be clear, there is no justification in the U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758 for Taiwan's continued exclusion from international bodies. The resolution only established the Government of the PRC as a representative for China at the U.N. It did nothing to define or determine a role for Taiwan.

This bill codifies what has long been the United States' position; that is, to oppose Beijing's actions to misinterpret and distort U.N. Resolution 2758 and enable the United States to empower our partners to resist Beijing's overtures to reduce or sever relations with Taiwan.

Taiwan is a friend, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the world. In this Congress, on a bipartisan basis, we will continue to push for its inclusion in global dialogue.

Mr. Speaker, by reinforcing the United States' opposition to Beijing's misinterpretation of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, this bill sends a clear signal that the United States will not waiver and that we will stand up for our friends when they are bullied.

Our partners should be able to rely on U.S. support in the face of Beijing's coercion, especially its efforts to maliciously exclude the interests of Taiwan's 24 million people in international organizations.

Taiwan is a vibrant democracy that contributes to the global community, and it deserves to participate in fostering peace and cooperation.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2416) to amend the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2019 to provide that the United States, as a member of any international organizations, should oppose any attempts by the People's Republic of China to resolve Taiwan's status by distorting the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of the organization, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is not just a friend. Taiwan is a self-governing democracy, a critical economic partner, and a responsible global stakeholder. It deserves to be seen and heard and not erased or silenced.

When the United States shows leadership, we know that others follow. We must lead now before the Chinese Communist Party permanently rewrites international norms.

I thank Mr. Connolly for his work on this piece of legislation. I miss seeing my friend here. As much as we have differences on many things--and we have had many intense arguments back and forth--I wouldn't want to argue with anybody else. I miss seeing him here.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.