Representative Ed Royce is a long-time friend and supporter of Taiwan in the United States Congress. In fact, he has been a member of the Taiwan Caucus since arriving in Congress in 1993. Representative Royce is honored to represent one of the largest and most vibrant Taiwanese American communities in the U.S., located in the heart of the East San Gabriel Valley.
As Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Representative Royce is working hard to strengthen the important relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan. Earlier this year, Chairman Royce authored and successfully passed a significant piece of legislation that makes international air travel between the U.S. and Taiwan safer (Public Law 113-17). Royce’s efforts to help Taiwan rejoin the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was the next logical step after successfully advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program in 2012.
By working closely with Democrats and Republicans, Chairman Royce secured the unanimous, bipartisan support of 424 Members of Congress in passing his legislation to help Taiwan rejoin ICAO. The Senate voted unanimously to send Chairman Royce’s legislation to the President of the United States’ desk. Now, with the President’s signature, this new law marks the first time in over a decade that Taiwan-specific legislation has passed.
Representative Royce’s commitment to Taiwan and the Taiwanese American community in the East San Gabriel Valley is second to none. In January 2013, Representative Royce made Taiwan the destination of his first official overseas trip as the newly elected Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The bipartisan delegation met with President Ma Ying-jeou and included a visit to Taiwan’s Zuoying Naval Base, Fuoguanshan, and the City of Kaoshiung. While in Taiwan, the Chairman called on the U.S. Trade Representative to begin negotiations on the U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. Chairman Royce has long supported increased trade and investment with Taiwan.
In February 2013, Chairman Royce opened the first-ever Congressional District office in heart of the East San Gabriel Valley, located off the 60 Freeway in Diamond Plaza. Staffed with multilingual speakers, the new office makes it easier for constituents in Los Angeles County to access vital federal services.
Representative Royce is working hard to boost America’s competitiveness vis-à-vis the Asia-Pacific region by sponsoring legislation to offer Chinese language instruction in the California State University system. He is also a strong supporter of increasing H-1B visas for international students graduating with advanced degrees in science and technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This will help America’s economy remain at the cutting edge of innovation.
