Young Oak Kim: “I thank Representative Meuser for yielding, and I thank Representative Connolly, Chairman Meeks, and Ranking Member…”

“I thank Representative Meuser for yielding, and I thank Representative Connolly, Chairman Meeks, and Ranking Member McCaul for their leadership on this very important issue. I rise in strong support of this bipartisan, bicameral effort to help restore Taiwan's observer status at the World Health Organization and World Health Assembly. I am proud to have introduced the House version of this bill, which has nearly 130 bipartisan cosponsors. Time and time again, Taiwan has proven to be a trusted ally of the United States and to be a world leader in global health security. From 2009 until 2017, Taiwan had observer status in the WHO and WHA, but it was revoked due to pressure from the Chinese Government. This bill would direct the Secretary of State to implement a strategy to restore Taiwan's observer status. I am hopeful that today we can send a united message to the people of Taiwan that we value their input and that giving them a seat at the table benefits all of us. Support for Taiwan is more important than ever. We all know today that as Russia invades Ukraine, China is eyeing Taiwan. A threat to freedom anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere. That is why I urge my colleagues to support this effort and give the people of Taiwan a voice in vital information sharing in the World Health Organization and World Health Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to lead this effort and will continue to be an unwavering voice for global human rights and freedom.”