In response to escalating hostility from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) toward Taiwan in recent weeks, U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) led a bipartisan group of eight other lawmakers in seeking action by the U.S. House of Representatives on pending legislation to lend or lease defense supplies to the Government of Taiwan in the event of an invasion by the CCP.
As part of a potential invasion strategy, the CCP has beefed up its military aggression in the South China Sea and is now planning its largest military drills in over 25 years that will impact Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines, according to an Aug. 9 letter the lawmakers sent to House leadership.
“This deliberate threat is already impacting airline routes and maritime shipping,” according to their letter. “More importantly, it threatens democracy, Taiwan’s 23 million citizens, and our allies in the Indo-Pacific.”
Rep. Steel and her colleagues specifically called on House leaders to bring up the Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, H.R. 8631, for a vote on the floor. She sponsored H.R. 8631 on July 29 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) as companion legislation to the same-named S. 4652, introduced on July 28 by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rick Scott (R-FL).
“The United States desperately needs a robust deterrence strategy for Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities,” wrote the members. “With the escalating threat of military force by the CCP, we believe the U.S. House of Representatives must demonstrate Congress’ continued intent to uphold the self-governance and democratic practices of Taiwan.
“A proactive approach should allow Taiwan, as proved critical for Ukraine, to start benefiting from American security and financial assistance prior to a full-scale invasion so that Taiwan can defend its democracy against authoritarian aggression,” the congressmen wrote.
House action on H.R. 8631 would authorize the administration to lend or lease defense articles to Taiwan should the CCP invade, a necessary precaution that would strengthen America’s relationship with Taiwan, reinforce deterrence against the CCP’s continuing encroachments, protect innocent lives, and support a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to their letter.
Rep. Steel and her colleagues also urged House leaders to support ongoing bipartisan measures that complement a lend-lease program, such as providing Foreign Military Financing or financial assistance modeled on the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
“Since 2014, Ukraine has benefited from a broad range of U.S. security assistance,” they wrote. “Taiwan is no less deserving of this kind of support. The time to act is now — not after the CCP invades.”
Among the members who joined Rep. Steel in signing the letter were Rep. Panetta and U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA).