April 21, 2024
The United States House of Representatives on April 20 passed in separate votes the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 for an aid package totaling US$95.3 billion. The act comprises three supplemental appropriations acts for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific, as well as the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, which requires TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance to divest from TikTok. These four laws, packaged as a single piece of legislation, will be sent to the US Senate for review. If approved, it will take effect after being signed by US President Joe Biden.
The Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed by an overwhelming majority, with 385 votes in favor and 34 against. It earmarks a US$8.12 billion budget for military aid to Taiwan and for strengthening US efforts to ensure regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The act provides for US$2 billion in foreign military financing for Indo-Pacific countries, including Taiwan. It also allocates US$1.9 billion for military assistance provided to Taiwan by the United States and by other countries at the United States’ request, covering the replacement of defense articles from the stocks of the US Department of Defense and reimbursement for related defense services, education, and training with regard to Taiwan.
With the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act this year, the US Congress has again honored its rock-solid security commitment to Taiwan through concrete legislation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs again expresses appreciation to the US Congress for placing great importance on Taiwan-US security cooperation and the maintenance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Through this most recent action at this critical juncture, when authoritarian expansion is threatening the democratic community, the US Congress has demonstrated support for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and shown firm and clear bipartisan consensus regarding its security commitment to Taiwan. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to enhance its close cooperation with the United States and other like-minded nations to jointly safeguard the rules-based international order and preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the region.