U.S. House approves 'Honest Maps' amendment targeting China's depiction of Taiwan

Washington, July 20 (CNA) The U.S. House has passed an amendment banning the Defense Department from creating, buying, or displaying any map that shows Taiwan as part of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The "Honest Maps" amendment was approved in a voice vote on Friday as part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for the 2026 fiscal year.

The amendment prohibits using any funds from the Act to create, buy, or display maps that show Taiwan, Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, Wuciou, Green Island, or Orchid Island as part of the PRC.

The Act includes US$831.5 billion in discretionary spending.

Before the vote, Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, who proposed the amendment, urged support from his colleagues. He noted that the House had approved a similar measure last Congress as part of the State Department Appropriations bill, and this new amendment aims to extend the policy to the Department of Defense.

Tiffany said the amendment was not controversial, as lawmakers in the House recognize that "Taiwan is not -- nor has it ever been -- part of Communist China, even for a single day."

The U.S. lawmaker said people in Taiwan choose their leaders, maintain their armed forces, conduct their foreign policy and manage their trade agreements with other countries.

"By every measure, Taiwan is a sovereign, democratic and independent nation -- and any claims to the contrary are simply false," Tiffany said.

Tiffany added that since the 1970s, Washington's so-called "One China Policy" has acknowledged Beijing's unsubstantiated claims over Taiwan. He called it "an antiquated and dishonest policy -- one that we should abandon."

Although Tiffany said the "Honest Map" amendment will not end the misguided One China Policy, he emphasized that it would ensure U.S. maps reflect the reality that "China is China, and Taiwan is Taiwan."

The U.S. House passed its 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act Friday, including US$500 million in aid for Taiwan's Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI).

Before the vote, President Donald Trump urged Congress to increase funding to US$1 billion, saying Taiwan's credible defense is vital for Indo-Pacific deterrence and protecting U.S. personnel, according to the Office of Management and Budget.