Taiwan Sovereignty Bill: Senate Review & Outcome – CNA

(Central News Agency reporter Zhong Youzhen, Washington, 29th) When the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee was reviewing the “Symbol of Taiwan Sovereignty” today, Senator Cruz sought support for the proposal and asked the members to imagine “when meeting with the French, asking not to display the French flag.” However, some lawmakers were worried that it would anger China, and Taiwan did not make relevant demands, so the bill was ultimately shelved.

The Senate Foreign Affairs Committee reviewed a number of bills in the morning, among which the “Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act” calls for overturning a years-old ban to allow Taiwanese officials and military personnel to display the national flag and corresponding emblems on official occasions.

According to the transcript of congressional communications provided by the Foreign Affairs Committee after the meeting, members of the two parties went back and forth on this bill, each holding different positions and considerations.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz first mentioned that successive U.S. governments have taken inconsistent positions on whether to display Taiwan’s symbols. The Foreign Affairs Committee has twice passed different versions of the “Taiwan Sovereignty Symbols Act” with bipartisan support.

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth said the State Department opposed the approach. Cruz responded that he had not received the information and that “this committee does not serve Foggy Bottom (State Department).”

Jeff Merkley, also a member of the Democratic Party, said: “Will this really help maintain Taiwan’s independence from China’s control and operate as a republic?” He is also worried that doing so will deliberately anger China. Cruz asked: “Can you imagine meeting with a French person and telling them not to display the French flag?”

Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said it was a “difficult choice” for her because she agrees that symbols are important, but believes Taiwan should take the lead on the issue, which has not made the request.

Republican Senator Bill Hagerty said he did not want the bill to be vetoed after it was introduced. Democratic Senator Brian Schatz proposed delaying the vote to build consensus.

Cruz compromised slightly, saying he would be willing to delay if there was a chance he could get a yes vote. Republican Senator Rand Paul stated that he would vote against it until Taiwan expresses its position. Fellow Senator Steve Daines said it would be good to reach a consensus before a possible summit between U.S. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming months.

Cruz finally agreed to suspend consideration of the “Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act.” According to common practice, any member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee can boycott a bill, and bills that have been shelved must be postponed to at least the next working session, a date that is currently undetermined.

Regarding the Foreign Affairs Committee’s discussion today and the final decision to shelve the bill, the Representative Office in the United States stated through the media group that comprehensively strengthening and enhancing Taiwan-US relations has always been the representative office’s long-term goal. I would like to thank our friends in the U.S. Congress for demonstrating their firm support for Taiwan-U.S. relations through legislation and other measures to support Taiwan.

The representative office said that it will continue to uphold a pragmatic attitude, maintain close communication with the United States, and continue to deepen the friendly partnership between Taiwan and the United States based on the existing good foundation.

The Foreign Affairs Committee passed three other Taiwan-related bills today: the “Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act”, the “Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act” and the “Taiwan Allies Fund Act”. They will then be sent to the Senate for review. After being passed by both houses of Congress, they will be signed by the President of the United States and take effect. (Editor: Zhang Zixuan) 1150130

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