Ted Yoho: “I thank the chairman again for yielding more time. I also recognize Congressmen Chabot and Connolly for being cosponsors…”

“I thank the chairman again for yielding more time. I also recognize Congressmen Chabot and Connolly for being cosponsors of this bill. While Taiwan's contributions to global health deserves praise, its isolation from international organizations and exclusion from the WHO has proven dangerous, if not hazardous. During the 2002-2003 outbreak of SARS, official WHO notifications and technical assistance were either blocked or delayed, all while patients in Taiwan died and the virus continued to spread. These diseases know no boundaries and, with extensive transit and trade links, Taiwan's participation at the WHO is essential. Congress has long supported Taiwan's participation in international organizations that do not require statehood, and this legislation will continue this important work. My bill will ensure that the U.S. diplomatic strategy to advocate for Taiwan's presence at the WHA, the World Health Assembly, adapts to Beijing's increased efforts to box out Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is a benevolent actor on the international stage. It deserves to keep that place it has earned. The next World Health Assembly meeting will take place in May of this year. Passage of my bill will be a timely opportunity for the House to recommit to longstanding U.S. policies and to take a firm stand in the face of Beijing's increasingly oppressive tactics. I urge my colleagues to support Taiwan's participation in the WHO as an observer by supporting this legislation.…”