We write to reaffirm congressional support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act
I will reaffirm my support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act and continue to support congressional measures that uphold it.
Occurrences
Since the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Congress has played a leading role in America’s relationship with Taiwan... These efforts support commitments in the region that have endured across administrations and across party lines.
Evidence
At an SFRC hearing with Secretary Rubio, Curtis emphasized countering CCP influence and supporting Taiwan's diplomatic relationships, while highlighting bipartisan legislation he introduced to strengthen Taiwan's position.
Curtis and Cortez Masto introduced the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act, saying it marks the Taiwan Relations Act's 47th anniversary and prepares the United States to uphold its commitments under the 1979 law.
At a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing with Secretary Rubio, Curtis said he focuses on Taiwan's diplomatic relationships in the Western Hemisphere and pointed to bipartisan legislation he introduced with Sen. Van Hollen to direct Countering PRC Influence Fund resources toward strengthening Taiwan's position.
Curtis and Shaheen welcomed Taiwan's approval of a supplementary defense budget, said their Taipei visit had urged support for the package, and stated that Congress will continue to support Taiwan's ability to defend itself and preserve stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Curtis announced bipartisan legislation with Senator Cortez Masto to mark the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, strengthen congressional oversight, and ensure the United States is prepared to uphold commitments under the 1979 law. Curtis said Congress has played the leading role in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship since the Act became law and that the bill gives Congress information needed to evaluate deterrence and peace in the Taiwan Strait.
The 2026 bill text lists Mr. Curtis as introducing the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act and states the bill would require annual reporting to Congress assessing U.S. capacity to fully implement the Taiwan Relations Act, including defensive arms for Taiwan, resistance to coercion, and peace and stability in the Western Pacific. The bill also states it does not alter existing Taiwan Relations Act requirements.
Curtis and Senator Merkley introduced the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act, described by Curtis's office as bipartisan legislation reaffirming U.S. policy to support Taiwan's democracy and engagement with the world. Curtis said the bill would deepen the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, elevate the top U.S. diplomat for Taiwan, encourage high-level cooperation and visits, and counter Chinese Communist Party disinformation against Taiwan.
The 2025 bill text lists Mr. Merkley for himself and Mr. Curtis as introducing the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2025. It states that U.S. cooperation with Taiwan should continue under the framework of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, and includes provisions for Taiwan participation in international organizations, high-level exchanges, arms-sales dialogue, and reports on deterrence in the Taiwan Strait.
During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing with Secretary Rubio, Curtis emphasized countering CCP influence and supporting Taiwan's diplomatic relationships in the Western Hemisphere. He highlighted bipartisan legislation with Senator Van Hollen to dedicate part of the Countering PRC Influence Fund to strengthening Taiwan's position and countering Chinese influence.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee release says Curtis joined senators urging Taiwan's Legislative Yuan to approve a defense budget for U.S. defense equipment and domestic asymmetric capabilities. It says the senators reaffirmed bipartisan support for the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and that Congress would remain an active steward of Taiwan's defense against Beijing's coercion.
The signed letter includes John Curtis and states that the United States Congress is fully committed to timely delivery of critical capabilities to Taiwan. It urges Taiwan's legislature to approve a supplementary defense budget and says Congress will continue to serve as an active guardian and steward of the U.S.-Taiwan partnership and Taiwan's defense against Beijing's coercion.
Curtis and Shaheen welcomed Taiwan's approval of a supplementary defense budget after urging support during their Taipei visit. Their statement says the U.S. partnership with Taiwan remains rock solid and that Congress will continue to support Taiwan's ability to defend itself and preserve stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Curtis and Shaheen led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Taiwan to emphasize Congress's leading role in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and affirm American support. Curtis said the United States fully supports President Lai's special defense budget request and urged adoption to address capability gaps needed to deter and, if necessary, defeat China.
Assessments
Curtis fulfilled the promise in his current federal Senate term by publicly reaffirming support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act and materially advancing congressional measures tied directly to upholding it. The strongest evidence is his introduction or co-sponsorship of the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act in 2025 and 2026, which explicitly references the Taiwan Relations Act framework and seeks reporting, oversight, deterrence, defense, and diplomatic measures to support U.S. commitments to Taiwan. Additional Senate delegation, committee, and letter activity further shows continued congressional support for Taiwan defense and stability consistent with the promise.
The promise was to reaffirm support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act and continue backing congressional measures that uphold it. The evidence shows Curtis did that during his current federal term: he publicly advanced Taiwan-related support in Senate Foreign Relations Committee activity, highlighted bipartisan legislation he introduced to strengthen Taiwan's position, and co-introduced the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act explicitly tied to upholding U.S. commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act. Because the pledge was about ongoing support and legislative advocacy rather than securing final enactment, these actions satisfy the promise.
Curtis publicly reaffirmed support for Taiwan and the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act and backed congressional measures aligned with that promise, including cointroducing the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act during his current Senate term. The evidence shows direct, ongoing legislative action by Curtis rather than a completed outcome by unrelated officials.