Blackburn, Steel offer bill to arm Taiwan against any attack from China

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on March 9 led two of her Republican colleagues in introducing legislation aimed at helping to prepare Taiwan against any preemptive aggression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Her bill is companion legislation offered by U.S. Rep. Michelle Steele (R-CA) earlier this month.

“Taiwan is our greatest partner in the Indo-Pacific region, and their continued sovereignty is essential to challenging the New Axis of Evil,” said Sen. Blackburn, who sponsored the Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2023, S. 770.

If enacted, S. 770 would authorize a defense lend or lease program with the Government of Taiwan. The bill is companion legislation to the same-named, bipartisan H.R. 1330 sponsored on March 1 by Rep. Steel and 12 colleagues, including U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA).

“There is no doubt that the CCP is the greatest threat to global stability and America’s national security,” Rep. Steel said. “As they continue to threaten Taiwan and openly challenge the United States, it is more important than ever that we take immediate and decisive action to deter further aggression against our allies.”

If enacted, the measure also would require a report to determine Taiwan’s defense needs; to define and clarify what the means of aggression by the CCP might look like; and to establish expedited procedures to ensure the timely delivery of defense articles loaned or leased to Taiwan under the bill, according to a summary provided by the lawmakers.

“Communist China has made it clear they will stop at nothing to become globally dominant,” Sen. Blackburn said. “The Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act will help ensure Taiwan has the capacity to defend itself and strengthen the United States’ commitment to preserving freedom around the globe.”

Rep. Steel said the bill also will send an “unmistakable message” to the CCP that the United States stands with its allies and is prepared to arm Taiwan with the tools it needs to defend itself from a CCP attack.

“The time to put an end to a CCP invasion is before it begins. That is why I am calling on every single one of my colleagues – on both sides of the aisle – to support this urgent and crucial bipartisan legislation,” said Rep. Steel.