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Gallagher, Colleagues Reintroduce Taiwan Defense Act

June 16, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), alongside Reps. Michael Waltz (R-FL), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), today reintroduced the Taiwan Defense Act (TDA), legislation that ensures the U.S. maintains the ability to defeat any attempted Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The bill comes after Taiwanreported the largest intrusion of Chinese aircraft in its airspace to date, and after senior military leadership expressed to Rep. Gallagher in a hearing yesterday that they share concerns the CCP could take action against Taiwan within the next six years.

"When senior leaders are warning the CCP could invade Taiwan within the next six years, we need a sense of urgency to restore deterrence in the Taiwan Strait," said Rep. Gallagher. "Taiwan's liberty is a vital national security interest of the United States, and the Taiwan Defense Act ensures America maintains the capability to deny a CCP invasion."

"As the Chinese Communist Party continues to build up its military and threaten our allies and partners, I am proud to join with my colleagues to introduce the Taiwan Defense Act, which ensures our nation's military is prepared to counter CCP aggression in the Taiwan Strait," said Rep. Reschenthaler. "I visited Taiwan in 2019 and saw firsthand its shared commitment to freedom and democracy and its vital role as a national security interest of the United States. This critical legislation will deter CCP aggression, protect a free and open Indo-Pacific, and strengthen our enduring partnership with Taiwan for years to come."

"It is paramount for the United States to do everything possible to combat the Chinese Communist Party's threats towards Taiwan and its autonomy," said Rep. Hartzler, a commissioner of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. "As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, I stand committed to supporting efforts such as the Taiwan Defense Act which identifies our military capabilities against China, pushes back on their aggression, and stands up for freedom and liberty."

"Taiwan remains a beacon of hope and democracy in East Asia which is why the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is targeting Taiwan with military aggression," said Rep. Waltz. "The Taiwan Defense Act ensures the Department of Defense has a military strategy to defend Taiwan should the CCP invade or attack Taiwan. The CCP recently seized control of Hong Kong and the United States must be fully prepared to defend Taiwan from the CCP."

Senator Josh Hawley introduced companion legislation today in the U.S. Senate, which is co-sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).

"The Chinese Communist Party wants control of the Indo-Pacific region, starting with Taiwan," said Senator Hawley."We cannot allow Beijing to succeed, not just for the sake of our Asian allies and partners, but for the sake of all Americans whose lives and livelihoods depend on a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Full text of the bill can be found here.