Six Assurances to Taiwan Act

Summary#

This bill, the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act, would put into law the "Six Assurances" that U.S. officials articulated in 1982 about relations with Taiwan. It restates that the United States did not agree to set a date for ending defensive arms sales to Taiwan, did not agree to consult with the PRC on those sales, would not play a mediation role between Taipei and Beijing, did not agree to revise the Taiwan Relations Act, did not take a position on Taiwan sovereignty, and would not pressure Taiwan to negotiate with the PRC.

The bill requires the President to notify Congress before taking certain actions related to those assurances. Covered actions include pausing or ending defensive arms sales to Taiwan; negotiating with the PRC about defensive arms sales to Taiwan; mediating or changing the U.S. position on Taiwan sovereignty; or exerting pressure on Taiwan to enter negotiations with the PRC. Notifications must say whether the action would significantly alter U.S. policy toward Taiwan or the PRC, and if so must describe the alteration and anticipated effects on U.S. economic and national security and on Taiwan sovereignty.

After the President submits a notification, Congress has a review period (normally 30 calendar days, but 60 days for notifications submitted between July 10 and September 7). During the review period, the bill bars spending appropriated funds to carry out the proposed action unless Congress enacts a joint resolution of approval. Congress may introduce either a joint resolution of approval or a joint resolution of disapproval during the review period. The bill sets procedures and expedited timelines for committee consideration and floor consideration of such resolutions in both the House and Senate. If Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval, the President and other federal officials may not take the proposed action or spend appropriated funds to carry it out.

The bill names the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the appropriate congressional committees for review. It also includes a severability clause.

What it means for you#

  • If the President plans to pause or stop defensive arms sales to Taiwan, or to negotiate or mediate with the PRC on those matters, Congress would get a formal notice and a chance to review that action before federal funds can be spent.
  • Congress would have a defined time window (usually 30 days) to hold hearings, introduce a joint resolution approving or disapproving the action, and consider that resolution under expedited procedures.
  • Federal agencies would generally be barred from spending appropriated funds to carry out the proposed action during the review periods unless Congress enacts a joint resolution approving the action.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings and statements of policy say that supporters view the Six Assurances as important stabilizing commitments. The text says maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in U.S. political, security, and economic interest and that the Six Assurances are a necessary component of U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.