SUPPORTING ARMS SALE TO TAIWAN -- HON. PETE SESSIONS

Floor Speech

* Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for strengthening the bilateral relationship the United States has with Taiwan. Taiwan is an important ally and trading partner, and we must continue to support its defense.

* Taiwan faces a continuous threat from the People's Republic of China, PRC, and must be capable of defending itself in the event of an attack. Section 2(b)(4) of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which is the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations, declares that it is the policy of the United States ``to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embargoes, a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States.'' Section 3(b) of the Act stipulates that both the President and Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of defense articles and services that Taiwan needs.

* On January 29, 2010 the Obama Administration announced to Congress a planned arms package to Taiwan totaling $6.4 billion. The package included 114 Patriot PAC-3 missiles, 60 Black Hawk helicopters, 12 Harpoon missiles for training purposes, two Osprey class refurbished mine hunters, and military communication equipment. This package was extremely significant and will help ensure the security of the Taiwan Strait. However, this package did not include the 66 F-16 fighter aircrafts, which were requested by Taiwan in 2006. I request that the Obama Administration give full, prompt, and fair consideration to Taiwan's request for the F-16 fighter aircrafts.

Source