The US House of Representatives yesterday passed an appropriations bill for next fiscal year that includes provisions supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and a US$500 million budget for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Taiwan.
The National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act passed the House in a 217-209 vote, according to a news release by the House Committee on Appropriations.
Photo: EPA-EFE
The legislation provides a total discretionary allocation of US$47.32 billion, which was US$2.69 billion below the appropriations bill for this fiscal year.
The 6 percent decrease reflects the priorities of the US administration under the America First framework, the committee said.
Despite overall budget cuts, the bill maintains funding support for US allies, including Taiwan, Israel, Jordan and Egypt, providing resources to counter adversaries such as China, Iran, Cuba and drug trafficking organizations, the committee said.
Committee Chairman Tom Cole, a Republican, said the bill stands firmly with the US’ friends and draws a clear line against its adversaries.
“It reinforces support for key allies – like Israel and Taiwan – and directly counters threats from Communist China and other regimes that challenge our interests and principles,” Cole said. “It also demands greater accountability and raises expectations from our partners – recognizing that enduring alliances are strongest when responsibilities are shared.”
Under the bill, at least US$500 million in FMF would be provided for assistance to Taiwan.
The US secretary of state, in coordination with the defense secretary, would prioritize the delivery of defense articles and services to Taiwan, the bill says.
When determining economic assistance allocations, the bill requires consideration of partner countries’ cooperation on US priorities, including migration issues, countering foreign adversaries, burden sharing, support for Taiwan’s participation in multilateral forums, and voting records at the UN.
Other Taiwan-related provisions include an allocation of at least US$4 million from the National Security Investment Programs for the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, which is implemented by the American Institute in Taiwan.
The bill also stipulates that none of the funds provided under the legislation may be used to produce, procure or display maps that misrepresent Taiwan’s territorial scope, or that of islands administered by Taiwan, or its social and economic systems.
Under US law, the bill must pass both the House and Senate in identical form before it can be sent to the president to be signed into law.