But the Biden administration has once again decided to try to stifle Congress' hawkishness on China and Taiwan. Back to , the popular bipartisan bill that the White House fears could undermine the Chinese government's assurances about maintaining America's One China policy.
Last week, Adrian Watson, spokeswoman for the White House National Security Council, told his POLITICO after saying the bill would "violate" President Joe Biden's authority and diplomatic efforts. "I look forward to working with Congress on the bill," he said.
Lawmakers said the administration's reaction to Ms Pelosi's visit and the new legislative push had been too cautious.
"They try to sabotage it and water it down because that's how they seem to approach all disputes," said Senator Lindsey Graham. (R-S.C.) stated. She - supported the bill. "We are moving forward at full speed. We are open to constructive change, but our goal is to help Taiwan, not lessen it."
21} First introduced by the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the bill marks the most dramatic change in U.S.-Taiwan relations since the Taiwan Relations Act, which has guided U.S. policy on the issue since 1979. represents. It authorizes $4.5 billion in security assistance to Taiwan and highlights, among other provisions, the island's character as a "major non-NATO ally" of the United States.A committee vote on the bill, scheduled for last Wednesday, was postponed due to actions on the Senate floor that would allow Finland and Sweden to join NATO, but Biden The administration has already suggested tweaks that senators are in the process of incorporating into the final bill. Senators were also concerned about advancing the law while China stepped up military exercises around Taiwan in response to Pelosi's visit that day. would also help refine the bill a bit more," said Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ). “The administration did not lobby me or say they were against the bill. They gave us critiques after we encouraged them to do so…
Menendez was responding to another Foreign Relations panel member, Senator Chris Murphy (Democrat, Connecticut). To the White House's efforts to change the law. "Chris Murphy is wrong. I saw his public comments," Menendez said.
Senator Jim Riche was the top Republican on the committee and suggested the administration's actions were inappropriate. has done enough damage to the policies of the United States and continues to intensify its impact this week," Rich said. ``The legislative process should not be interfered with.''
The new Taiwan bill seeks to defend against potential aggression by Beijing, which considers the island to be part of China despite its vibrant democracy. In recent years, as China has stepped up its crackdown on Hong Kong and increased its provocations against Taiwan, lawmakers from both partiesagainst the United States have called for a "one China" policy. Abandoning the policy and calling for clarity to protect Taiwan from threats: aggression.
In a New York Times op-ed last week, Menendez — who often breaks with his own party on foreign policy — said that given China's erratic behavior, the United States should support Taiwan. must be strengthened. , most notably the military buildup that could portend an invasion of the island.
"This is an attack plan eerily reminiscent of President [Vladimir] Putin in Ukraine," Menendez wrote. "We saw warning signs in Ukraine in 2014 and failed to take action that could deter further Russian aggression. We cannot repeat the mistakes we made with Taiwan," he said.
Indeed, Russia's invasion of Ukraine prompted lawmakers from both parties to rethink America's longstanding doctrine of "strategic ambiguity" when it comes to Taiwan. Meanwhile, the White House is grappling with an audacious China that has ramped up provocative military exercises around Taiwan since Pelosi's plane landed there for a 19-hour visit.Pelosi's visit Beijing's overreaction to the move reinforced some of the White House's initial concerns that it threatened Taiwan's security.
"The White House seems very concerned about provoking China these days," said SenMarco Rubio (Republican Flat). We will do what we can," he vowed. About Taiwan".
The Biden administration is not alone in trying to change Taiwan's laws. Many Democrats on the committee, like Murphy, agree that making such drastic changes to U.S.-Taiwan policy at this point could backfire.
59} "I absolutely believe that Taiwan's policy needs to be reoriented. China has changed its policy to potentially encourage military action. We need to be prepared for that." Murphy said. "I think the committee is having a good discussion about how far policy needs to change from the Taiwan Relations Act."and Senator Jean Shaheen ( Democrats, New Hampshire) said "some changes" to the law would help, but added that they shouldn't be blocked entirely.
"It is important for us to pass this law," she said.