US Congressman Ed Royce announced Wednesday that he plans to combine two bills he is sponsoring in support of Taiwan. Royce made the announcement at a celebration marking 35 years since the Taiwan Relations Act took effect.
The first bill is a resolution acknowledging the importance of the Taiwan Relations Act, the law governing US relations with Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties. The second bill includes text authorizing the president of the US to sell Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates to Taiwan.
Royce said he plans to submit the newly combined bill directly to the House of Representatives. If passed, the bill will also need the approval of the US Senate to become law.
Royce, who currently chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said he has spoken to his counterpart in the US Senate, Robert Menendez. Royce also said he hopes both houses will cooperate in passing the bill.