Shaheen, Tillis, Coons, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming U.S. Support for Taiwan

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Thom Tillis (R-NC), Co-Chair of the Senate Taiwan Caucus, introduced a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 as well as longstanding bipartisan support for the U.S.-Taiwan partnership. Senators Shaheen and Tillis were joined by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in cosponsoring the resolution.

Since the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, the U.S. Congress has played a central role in guiding and affirming America's policy toward Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC). The United States' decision to establish and maintain relations with the PRC rests upon the continuing and vital expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means. Moreover, the United States has provided Taiwan with arms for defensive purposes on a bipartisan basis for over forty years. Those arms and U.S. security cooperation with Taiwan have served as an effective bulwark against Chinese military action that would plunge the world into a catastrophic war and cause a lasting global economic depression. This resolution also affirms America's longstanding Six Assurances to Taiwan, including that the United States does not consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan.

The bipartisan resolution:

• Reaffirms the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the Three Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances as the cornerstones of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, which continues to enjoy broad bipartisan support;

• Recalls that central pillars of the TRA have stood the test of time, including the provision of U.S. arms of a defensive character to Taiwan; and

• Reiterates that the United States did not agree to prior consultation with China on arms sales to Taiwan.

"America's support for Taiwan is non-negotiable," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "During his visit to Beijing last week, President Trump failed to defend U.S. obligations to help provide for Taiwan's defense, dangerously undermining deterrence against Chinese aggression. The President's failure has real costs for Americans by inviting aggression from the PRC that could cost countless lives and trigger an enormous global economic downturn. I reiterate bipartisan calls for the Administration to formally notify the $14 billion in U.S. arms sales that Congress pre-approved in January 2026."

"Taiwan is one of America's strongest democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific and plays a critical role in promoting regional stability, economic security, and freedom in the face of growing aggression from the Chinese Communist Party," said Senator Tillis. "The United States must continue to stand firmly alongside the Taiwanese people and reaffirm our commitment to Taiwan's security and right to self-determination free from coercion or intimidation. I'm proud to support this resolution to demonstrate America's enduring partnership with Taiwan and our shared commitment to democratic values."

"A free and open Indo-Pacific is key to America's safety and security," said Senator Coons. "Taiwan stands on the front line of freedom against a Chinese government that wishes to surpass America militarily, technologically, and economically. As China becomes more aggressive, I'm proud to reaffirm Congress' longstanding bipartisan support for a strong United States-Taiwan partnership."

"This bipartisan resolution reaffirms the Taiwan Relations Act and our nation's longstanding support for Taiwan," said Senator Collins. "For more than 45 years, the Taiwan Relations Act has helped guide a strong U.S.-Taiwan partnership, including our support for Taiwan's self-defense. The United States must continue to make clear that Taiwan's future should be determined peacefully, and that any effort to use force or coercion would threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

The full text of the resolution can be found HERE.

Ranking Member Shaheen has led the charge from the Senate in maintaining U.S. support for Taiwan and deterring PRC aggression. Senator Shaheen also led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Taiwan in March, where she met with the President of Taiwan and reaffirmed the mutual benefit the U.S.-Taiwan relationship creates for both the Taiwanese and the American people.

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