- Ambassador James R. Lilley and Congressman Stephen J. Solarz North Korea Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2012
- Iran Threat Reduction Act
- Peace Corps Volunteer Service Improvement Act of 2011
- Syria Freedom Support Act
- Taiwan Policy Act of 2011
- United Nations Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act
H.R. 2918
Taiwan Policy Act of 2011
The Taiwan Policy Act is designed to enhance the economic, political, and security relationship between the United States and Taiwan, particularly in light of increasing threatening behavior by China. The bill reaffirms the assurances of the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires the United States to ensure Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities as a matter of U.S. national interest. Critically, the bill supports and authorizes the sale to the Taiwanese Air Force of F-16 C/D fighter aircraft to replace their current fleet of aging American and French fighters.
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The Taiwan Relations Act has served as the foundation of the U.S.-Taiwan alliance since its passage in 1979. The act stipulates that the United States will consider any efforts to alter the future of Taiwan, by any means other than peaceful, as “a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific and of grave concern to the United States,” and mandates that the United States provide Taiwan with the defense capabilities needed to defend itself from outside aggression.
The Obama Administration’s refusal to-date to sell F-16 C/D aircraft Taiwan jeopardizes Taiwanese security and ignores the requirements present in the Taiwan Relations Act. Taiwan’s existing aircraft do not meet the needs of a modern air force and need to be replaced desperately. This bill authorizes the sale of F-16 C/D aircraft to Taiwan, as well as a wide range of other air, ground, and naval systems. The bill also seeks to enhance the U.S.-Taiwan alliance by adding Taiwan to the visa waiver program, permitting senior Taiwan leaders to meet with U.S. officials in all executive branches, and signing a comprehensive extradition agreement among other items
The strengthening of security and diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the United States is vital to U.S. interest in the region.
STATUS: H.R. 2918 was approved by the Committee on November 17, 2011.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- WATCH Committee consideration of H.R. 2918
- Ros-Lehtinen Says Bills Passed by Committee Today Supporting Sale of Advanced F-16 Fighter Aircraft to Taiwan Help Ensure Peace, Security; Administration refused to include new-model planes in recent arms sale
- WATCH Chairman Ros-Lehtinen Opening Statement: Why Taiwan Matters, Part II?
