U.S. House passes bill with US$500 million in military financing for Taiwan

Washington, July 15 (CNA) The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a fiscal 2027 appropriations bill that includes provisions supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations and a US$500 million budget for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Taiwan.

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act passed the House in a 217-209 vote, according to a news release by the House Committee on Appropriations.

The legislation provides a total discretionary allocation of US$47.32 billion, which was US$2.69 billion below the fiscal 2026 appropriations bill.

According to the appropriations committee, the 6 percent decrease reflects the priorities of the U.S. administration under the America First framework.

Despite overall budget cuts, the bill maintains funding support for U.S. allies, including Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Taiwan, providing resources to counter adversaries such as China, Iran, Cuba, and drug trafficking organizations, the committee said.

Committee Chairman Tom Cole, a Republican congressman, said the bill stands firmly with the United States' friends and draws a clear line against its adversaries.

"It reinforces support for key allies - like Israel and Taiwan - and directly counters threats from Communist China and other regimes that challenge our interests and principles," Cole said. "It also demands greater accountability and raises expectations from our partners - recognizing that enduring alliances are strongest when responsibilities are shared."

Under the bill, at least US$500 million in FMF would be provided for assistance to Taiwan. The U.S. secretary of state, in coordination with the defense secretary, would prioritize the delivery of defense articles and services to Taiwan, the bill states.

When determining economic assistance allocations, the bill requires consideration of partner countries' cooperation on U.S. priorities, including migration issues, countering foreign adversaries, burden sharing, support for Taiwan's participation in multilateral forums, and voting records at the United Nations.

Other Taiwan-related provisions include an allocation of at least US$4 million from the National Security Investment Programs for the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), which is implemented by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

The bill also stipulates that none of the funds provided under the legislation may be used to produce, procure or display maps that misrepresent Taiwan's territorial scope, or that of islands administered by Taiwan, or its social and economic systems.

Under U.S. law, the bill must pass both the House and Senate in identical form before it can be sent to the president to be signed into law.