U.S. House panel unveils defense bill with US$2 billion for Taiwan

Washington, June 10 (CNA) The United States House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday released its fiscal year 2027 defense appropriations bill, which includes US$2 billion earmarked to bolster Taiwan's defense.

According to the legislation, US$1 billion would be allocated to the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI), with the funds remaining available through Sept. 30, 2028.

The bill also earmarks a separate US$1 billion for the replacement and reimbursement of defense articles and services provided to Taiwan.

Under the bill, the secretary of defense, with the concurrence of the secretary of state, would be authorized to draw on TSCI funds to provide assistance to Taiwan, including the procurement of defense articles and services, as well as military education and training.

The House Appropriations Committee said in a statement that the fiscal 2027 defense appropriations bill provides a total of US$1.072 trillion in discretionary funding.

The legislation is intended to strengthen U.S. strategic military advantages, support active-duty service members and their families, improve Defense Department operations, combat transnational drug trafficking and advance the defense priorities of the Trump administration, according to the statement.

The committee also announced that its defense subcommittee is scheduled to hold a closed-door markup of the bill on Thursday.

The proposed funding follows action earlier this month by the House Armed Services Committee, which approved its version of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). That bill authorizes up to US$1 billion for the TSCI to help Taiwan bolster its self-defense capabilities.

Both the appropriations bill and the NDAA must pass the House and Senate before being sent to the president for signature.