Reaffirming congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act and longstanding bipartisan Taiwan policy.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1278
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:09:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 1278) aims to reaffirm congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979, the three U.S.-China Joint Communiqués, and the Six Assurances, while endorsing the longstanding bipartisan U.S. policy toward Taiwan. It emphasizes peaceful resolution of Taiwan's future and U.S. commitment to Taiwan's security.
Key Provisions
- Recites historical context of the TRA as the foundation of U.S.-Taiwan relations, highlighting its enduring bipartisan support.
- Outlines core TRA elements:
- Preserving commercial, cultural, and other ties between the U.S., Taiwan, mainland China, and the Western Pacific.
- Declaring peace and stability in the region as vital U.S. interests.
- Expecting Taiwan's future to be determined peacefully.
- Viewing non-peaceful efforts (e.g., force, boycotts, embargoes) as threats to regional security.
- Providing defensive arms to Taiwan.
- Maintaining U.S. capacity to resist force or coercion against Taiwan.
- References U.S. "one China" policy, guided by the TRA, Joint Communiqués (1972, 1979, 1982), and Six Assurances (1982 Reagan-era commitments rejecting limits on arms sales, consultations with China, mediation, TRA revisions, sovereignty positions, or pressure on Taiwan).
- Notes strengthened U.S.-Taiwan ties since 1979, Taiwan's role in global economy, trade/investment with U.S., and its democratic transformation.
- Resolves that the House reaffirms the TRA, Joint Communiqués, Six Assurances as U.S. policy cornerstones, supports Taiwan's self-defense, and opposes non-peaceful determination of Taiwan's future.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- None. This is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's sense; it does not amend laws, appropriate funds, or create enforceable obligations.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Signals continued State Department and Defense Department adherence to TRA policies, potentially influencing arms sales and diplomatic engagements.
- Citizens: No direct impact on U.S. citizens.
- International relations: Reinforces U.S. commitment to Taiwan amid tensions with China; may bolster Taiwan's confidence in U.S. support while reminding China of U.S. red lines on coercion.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress (bipartisan cosponsors from House Foreign Affairs Committee).
- U.S. executive branch (e.g., State Department, Pentagon for policy implementation).
- Taiwan (benefits from reaffirmed defensive support).
- People's Republic of China (notified of U.S. opposition to non-peaceful actions).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan consensus (diverse cosponsors), strengthening U.S. messaging on Taiwan without partisan divide.
- Legal/Constitutional: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law but carries symbolic weight in foreign policy debates; aligns with Congress's Article I oversight of foreign affairs.
- No constitutional challenges noted; reinforces existing framework without altering treaties or statutes.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (26)
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-05-12: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Reaffirming congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act and longstanding bipartisan Taiwan policy. — issued 2026-05-12 — PDF (3 pages)