Taipei Times
Date: July 25, 2018
By:Staff writer, with CNA, WASHINGTON
The US Senate and House of Representatives on Monday reached a consensus on an annual defense authorization bill that would include a provision expressing support for the strengthening of Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, but have yet to release the final version of the bill.
Based on summaries of the reconciliation process issued by the Senate and House armed services committees, the two bodies proposed different wording to declare support for Taiwan in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019.
The Senate Committee on Armed Services’ version said that in terms of Taiwan, the Senate “directs a comprehensive assessment on strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, and expresses the sense of Congress on the importance of a strong US defense relationship with Taiwan.”
The House Committee on Armed Services’ version said it supports “improving Taiwan’s defense capabilities and force readiness” and the expansion of “joint training, foreign military sales, the use of security cooperation authorities, and senior level military-to-military engagements.” [FULL STORY]