《TAIPEI TIMES》House passes Taiwan military funding

The US Capitol in Washington is pictured on March 3. Photo: CNA

ALLIANCE:The bill provides US$47.32 billion in support for US allies, including US$500 million for Taiwan in addition to priority for defense deliveries and services

Staff writer, with CNA The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed an appropriations bill for the next fiscal year 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 to 209 vote, a statement by the House Committee on Appropriations said.

The legislation provides a total discretionary allocation of US$47.32 billion, which was US$2.69 billion below this fiscal year’s appropriations bill.

According to the committee, the 6 percent decrease reflects the priorities of the US administration under the “America First” framework.

Despite overall budget cuts, the bill maintains funding support for US 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 US’ 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 US secretary of state, in coordination with the secretary of defense, 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 US priorities, including migration issues, countering foreign adversaries, burden sharing, support for Taiwan’s participation in multilateral forums and voting records at the UN.

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, which is implemented by the American Institute in Taiwan.

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

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES