[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 8 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 8
Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume
normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, negotiate a bilateral free
trade agreement with Taiwan, and support Taiwans membership in
international organizations.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 6, 2025
Mr. Tiffany (for himself, Mr. Perry, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Ms.
Malliotakis, Mr. Ogles, Mr. Gooden, Mrs. Cammack, Mr. Baird, Mr.
Grothman, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Wied, Mr. Fitzgerald,
Mrs. Harshbarger, Mr. Ellzey, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr.
Meuser, Mr. Gimenez, Ms. Boebert, Mr. Williams of Texas, Mr. Feenstra,
Mr. Garbarino, and Mr. Nunn of Iowa) submitted the following concurrent
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and
in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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
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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should resume
normal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, negotiate a bilateral free
trade agreement with Taiwan, and support Taiwans membership in
international organizations.
Whereas the people of Taiwan have established a free, open, pluralistic, and
democratic society;
Whereas the people of Taiwan have conducted successive democratic Presidential
elections yielding several peaceful transfers of power, successive
parliamentary elections, multiple nationwide referenda, and numerous
local elections;
Whereas Taiwan and its outlying islands have never been under the jurisdiction
or control of the Communist regime in Beijing, which continues to
illegitimately claim sovereignty over Taiwan and its people;
Whereas Communist China has weaponized the so-called ``One China Policy'' to
block Taiwan's membership and full participation in international
organizations and events ranging from the United Nations and the World
Health Organization to the Olympic Games;
Whereas the so-called ``One China Policy'' is obsolete, does not serve the
people of Taiwan or the United States, and fails to reflect the obvious
reality that Taiwan has been a sovereign and independent country for
over 70 years;
Whereas Taiwan maintains diplomatic, cultural, and economic links with several
countries around the world, demonstrating its clear and indisputable
independence from the People's Republic of China;
Whereas Taiwan and the United States maintained normal diplomatic relations and
a Mutual Defense Treaty until President Carter abruptly abandoned both
without the approval of Congress in 1979;
Whereas Congress responded by adopting the landmark, bipartisan Taiwan Relations
Act, codifying in law the basis for continued friendly relations between
the people of the United States and Taiwan;
Whereas former President Reagan strengthened ties with Taiwan by issuing the
``Six Assurances'', noting that ``The United States has not altered its
position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan'', underscoring that
Communist Chinese claims of sovereignty over Taiwan have never been
accepted by the United States;
Whereas former President Clinton declared ``that the issues between Beijing and
Taiwan must be resolved peacefully and with the assent of the people of
Taiwan'';
Whereas President Trump approved the sale of defense articles to Taiwan and
signed bipartisan legislation allowing for expanded high-level exchanges
and cooperation between Taiwanese and American officials; and
Whereas Taiwan remains a steadfast ally of the United States and a responsible
and conscientious member of the international community: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That--
(1) the United States commends the people of Taiwan for
their commitment to democracy, civil liberties, and human
rights; and
(2) it is the sense of Congress that--
(A) the President should abandon the antiquated
``One China Policy'' in favor of a policy that
recognizes the objective reality that Taiwan is an
independent country not governed by or included within
the territory of the People's Republic of China;
(B) the President should recognize the legitimacy
of the democratically elected National Government in
Taipei, normalize diplomatic relations between our two
nations, appoint a United States ambassador to Taiwan,
and receive a Taiwanese ambassador to the United
States;
(C) the President should rescind arbitrary agency
guidelines that restrict normal communication and
interaction between United States and Taiwanese
officials;
(D) the United States Trade Representative should
initiate formal negotiations with Taiwan on the
establishment of a United States-Taiwan Free Trade
Agreement; and
(E) the President, the Permanent Representative of
the United States to the United Nations, and other
relevant United States officials should take steps to
advocate for Taiwan's full membership in the United
Nations and other international organizations in which
the United States is a member.
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