May 21, 2026
Mrs. Shaheen (for herself, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Coons) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Reaffirming congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act and longstanding bipartisan Taiwan policy.
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96–8; 22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.) is the cornerstone of the United States-Taiwan relationship, which has been characterized by broad and enduring bipartisan support;
Whereas the Taiwan Relations Act established key elements of United States policy that have stood the test of time, including—
(1)
preserving the extensive commercial, cultural, and other ties between the United States, Taiwan, the people on the China mainland, and all other peoples in the Western Pacific;
(2)
declaring that peace and stability in the region are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern;
(3)
underscoring that the decision of the United States to establish and maintain diplomatic relations with the Government of the People’s Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means;
(4)
considering any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including boycotts or embargoes, a threat to regional peace and security, and of grave concern to the United States;
(5)
providing Taiwan with arms of a defensive character; and
(6)
maintaining the capacity of the United States to resist any force or coercion that would jeopardize the security or any social and economic system of the people of Taiwan;
Whereas the United States Government has a longstanding One China Policy, which has been guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances;
Whereas, in 1982, in the context of the United States-China Joint Communiqué on United States Arms Sales to Taiwan, the Reagan Administration made clear that in its negotiations, the United States—
(1)
did not agree to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan;
(2)
did not agree to prior consultation with the People’s Republic of China on arms sales to Taiwan;
(3)
did not agree to play any mediation role between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China;
(4)
did not agree to revise the Taiwan Relations Act;
(5)
did not agree to take any position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan; and
(6)
will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the People’s Republic of China;
Whereas, since the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States and Taiwan have further strengthened commercial, cultural, and other ties;
Whereas Taiwan has become a key part of the global economy and a significant trading and investment partner of the United States; and
Whereas Taiwan has transformed into a robust democracy on the world stage: Now, therefore, be it
Sec.
That the Senate reaffirms the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96–8; 22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the Three Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances as cornerstones of United States policy regarding Taiwan and supports the longstanding bipartisan United States policy toward Taiwan, which includes support for Taiwan’s self-defense and opposition to efforts to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means.