Six Assurances to Taiwan Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3452
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T08:05:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Six Assurances to Taiwan Act" (H.R. 3452) aims to formally incorporate into U.S. law the "Six Assurances"—a set of 1982 policy principles from the Reagan administration regarding U.S.-Taiwan relations. These assurances clarify U.S. commitments to Taiwan amid the "One China" policy, which recognizes the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legal government of China but maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan. The bill seeks to prevent any U.S. actions that could undermine these assurances, ensure congressional oversight, and protect Taiwan from potential coercion by the PRC, promoting stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines historical context, including Taiwan's status as a democracy of over 23 million people and a key U.S. economic partner; the PRC's threats to Taiwan; and the role of the Taiwan Relations Act (1979), three U.S.-China Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances in maintaining peace. It details the assurances as articulated in 1982 cables and testimonies: no set date for ending arms sales to Taiwan; no prior consultations with the PRC on such sales; no U.S. mediation between Taiwan and the PRC; no revisions to the Taiwan Relations Act; no U.S. position on Taiwan's sovereignty; and no pressure on Taiwan to negotiate with the PRC.
- Sense of Congress: Declares that Taiwan Strait stability is vital to U.S. interests; rejects unilateral changes to the status quo or settlements without both sides' consent; insists on peaceful resolution of Taiwan's future; and views the Six Assurances as essential to U.S. policy.
- Statement of Policy: Explicitly reaffirms the Six Assurances as U.S. policy, tying them to the 1982 U.S.-China Joint Communiqué on arms sales.
- Congressional Review Mechanism:
- Requires the President to notify Congress (via specified committees and leadership) before any action that could contradict the Six Assurances, such as pausing defensive arms sales to Taiwan, negotiating with the PRC on those sales, mediating on sovereignty, altering the U.S. sovereignty stance, or pressuring Taiwan to negotiate with the PRC.
- Notifications must describe the action, its reasons, and whether it significantly alters U.S. foreign policy toward Taiwan or the PRC (with additional details on economic/security impacts and sovereignty effects if applicable).
- Establishes a 30-day congressional review period (60 days if submitted between July 10 and September 7), during which no funds can be used to advance the action without a joint resolution of approval.
- If Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval, the action is blocked (with further delays during veto consideration or override attempts).
- Defines procedures for introducing, debating, and passing joint resolutions of approval or disapproval in both chambers, including expedited rules to bypass standard delays (e.g., automatic discharge from committee after 10 days, limited debate).
- Severability Clause: Ensures that if any part of the act is ruled invalid, the rest remains in effect.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Codification of the Six Assurances: Previously informal executive policy statements (from 1982) and referenced in later laws (e.g., Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018, Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020, and National Defense Authorization Acts), these are now statutory requirements, making them binding law rather than discretionary guidance.
- New Oversight Requirement: Introduces mandatory congressional notification and review for executive actions affecting the assurances, which did not exist before. This limits presidential flexibility in Taiwan-related foreign policy without prior legislative input, unlike the Taiwan Relations Act's broader framework for arms sales and security commitments.
- No direct amendments to prior laws like the Taiwan Relations Act, but reinforces and protects them by prohibiting revisions or contradictory actions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The State Department and other executive branches must submit detailed notifications, potentially slowing decision-making on Taiwan policy. Congressional committees (Foreign Affairs in the House, Foreign Relations in the Senate) gain enhanced roles in hearings and briefings, increasing legislative influence over executive foreign affairs.
- On Citizens: U.S. citizens may see indirect benefits through sustained economic ties with Taiwan (a major trading partner in semiconductors and technology). No direct domestic effects, but could bolster national security by deterring PRC aggression.
- On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. support for Taiwan's defense and autonomy, signaling resolve against PRC coercion and potentially deterring military threats in the Indo-Pacific. Could strain U.S.-PRC relations by limiting diplomatic concessions (e.g., on arms sales or mediation). Promotes regional stability by upholding the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, affecting allies like Japan and Australia.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress: Gains authority to review and potentially block executive actions, empowering lawmakers in foreign policy.
- U.S. Executive Branch (President and Agencies): Faces new constraints on unilateral decisions regarding Taiwan, requiring coordination with Congress.
- Taiwan (Republic of China): Benefits from codified U.S. assurances, enhancing security and deterring PRC pressure without formal diplomatic recognition.
- People's Republic of China: May view this as provocative, complicating bilateral talks, but it reaffirms the U.S. "One China" policy.
- U.S. Businesses and Economy: Indirectly supported through stable Taiwan relations, given Taiwan's role in global supply chains (e.g., tech exports to the U.S.).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Elevates the Six Assurances to enforceable law, providing a basis for potential court challenges if executive actions violate them. The severability clause protects the act's core from partial invalidation.
- Constitutional Implications: Balances executive foreign policy powers (Article II) with congressional oversight (Article I, including war powers and appropriations control). The expedited procedures for joint resolutions act as internal congressional rules, potentially tested in disputes over separation of powers, but align with precedents like the War Powers Resolution (1973).
- Political Implications: Bipartisan support (introduced by members from both parties) signals consensus on Taiwan policy amid rising U.S.-PRC tensions. Could influence future administrations by institutionalizing a pro-Taiwan stance, reducing risks of policy shifts, but risks politicizing sensitive diplomacy. No direct effect on U.S. recognition of China, preserving the One China framework.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
Cosponsors (28)
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-15: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Six Assurances to Taiwan Act — issued 2025-05-15 — PDF (22 pages)