Two members of the United States Congress have put forward a bill authorizing the US President to use limited military force to defend Taiwan. Senator Rick Scott and Representative Guy Reschenthaler introduced the Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act in both chambers of Congress on Thursday.
This is the second time members of Congress have put forward the bill. The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act first appeared in Congress in July last year, but it didn’t receive a vote. When the last congressional session ended January 3 this year, the legislation expired.
The Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act contains a number of measures designed to protect Taiwan in the event of an invasion by China. It obliges the US to increase Taiwan’s capacity to resist a Chinese attack and push back against Chinese military buildup in the Taiwan Strait. The bill also calls on China to stop threatening Taiwan with the use of force. Meanwhile, it calls for the US to set up a series of security dialogues with Taiwan and likeminded partners.
In addition to cooperation on a security level, the bill also calls for greater communication at an executive level. If passed, the proposal would encourage the US President or Secretary of State to visit the President of Taiwan. It would also welcome Taiwan’s President to deliver a speech in the US Congress.