U.S. Senate committee passes 4 Taiwan-related bills

Washington, Oct. 22 (CNA) The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday approved four Taiwan-related bills -- the PORCUPINE Act, the Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act, the United States-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act and the Taiwan International Solidarity Act.

The PORCUPINE Act would streamline procedures under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, reduce notification timelines to Congress and raise monetary thresholds for required notifications so Taiwan receives treatment equivalent to members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and "NATO Plus."

For members of "NATO Plus," any sale of major defense equipment worth US$25 million or more must be formally reported to Congress 15 days in advance.

Because Taiwan is not part of "NATO Plus," current rules require the U.S. president to notify Congress at least 30 days before issuing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for arms sales exceeding US$14 million.

Democratic Party Senator Chris Coons and Republican Party Senator Pete Ricketts jointly proposed the PORCUPINE Act after visiting Taiwan in April.

The bill would also authorize the U.S. secretary of state to adopt fast-track procedures that allow "NATO Plus" members to transfer U.S.-made defense equipment and services to Taiwan through military aid, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sales (DCS).

The Deter PRC Aggression Against Taiwan Act aims to ensure the United States is prepared to strike key areas of China's economy if China uses force against Taiwan.

The United States-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act is intended to support Latin American and Caribbean nations that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The Taiwan International Solidarity Act would require the United States to oppose attempts by China to distort Taiwan's status in international organizations.

Coons told CNA the committee meeting was one of its most productive in years and the bills will next move to the U.S. Senate.

Under the U.S. legislative process, both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives must pass a bill before it can be sent to the president to be signed into law.