U.S. House passes bill providing US$2.3 billion military financing for Taiwan

Washington, Jan. 15 (CNA) The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill to provide Taiwan with US$300 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and up to US$2 billion in loans and loan guarantees to strengthen deterrence in the Taiwan Strait.

The measures are part of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, which the House approved by a 341-79 vote.

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party on Thursday issued a news release outlining the bill's provisions related to the Indo-Pacific region.

FMF, a U.S. State Department program, helps allies and partner countries acquire American military equipment, services, and training through U.S.-funded aid.

The legislation also directs the U.S. secretary of state to take into account a country's U.N. voting record and its support for Taiwan's observer status when deciding how foreign aid is distributed.

In addition, it includes US$35.9 million for the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, and US$100 million in FMF for the Philippines.

"In the past month, the free people of Taiwan have endured cyberattacks and aggressive PLA military exercises. This legislation provides Taiwan with more support, helps it invest in its own defense, and reinforces last month's historic arms sale by the Trump Administration," Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar said in a separate news release on Thursday.

Moolenaar added that the United States "must urgently deliver weapons to Taiwan to deter conflict in 2027 and beyond."

Following the bill's passage, several Taiwanese scholars weighed in on its significance for Taiwan and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said the House's support for military aid shows strong consensus on strengthening Taiwan's security. He added that including US$100 million in FMF for the Philippines highlights U.S. concern for the broader security of the first island chain.

Chen Shih-min (陳世民), an associate professor of political science at National Taiwan University, said that although Taiwan accounts for only part of the bill, members of the U.S. Congress had to actively support the provisions to vote in favor. The fact that about 80 percent of lawmakers approved it shows bipartisan consensus on supporting Taiwan.

However, for the legislation to become law, both the House and Senate must approve an identical version, which must then be signed by the U.S. president.