The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday approved bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) that would require the U.S. Department of State to conduct periodic reviews of its guidelines for U.S. engagement with Taiwan.
The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, H.R. 1512, which Rep. Wagner sponsored on Feb. 21 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), has now advanced to the U.S. Senate, which assigned the bill to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee for consideration.
“This bill will deepen and expand U.S.-Taiwan relations at a critical moment in history,” Rep. Wagner said. “I look forward to the Senate quickly taking up my legislation and putting this on President Trump’s desk so he can show China just how serious we are about combatting their reckless aggression.”
Specifically, H.R. 1512 would require that the State Department reviews and updates how the guidance deepens and expands U.S.-Taiwan relations, and reflects the value, merits, and importance of the relationship, and provide due consideration to the fact that Taiwan is a democratic partner and a free and open society that respects universal human rights and democratic values.
Additionally, they must ensure that the conduct of relations with Taiwan reflects the longstanding, comprehensive, and values-based relationship the U.S. shares with Taiwan, and contribute to the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Wagner’s staff.
“It is undeniable that the People’s Republic of China is the single gravest threat to our national security and has its sights set on the full-scale invasion of Taiwan,” said the congresswoman on May 5. “The United States must not waver in our deterrence of this threat. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners in the Pacific, and my Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act is a decisive step forward to ensuring peace through strength.”