Doug Bereuter: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3707, which this Member introduced, is an important measure that enjoys wide bipartisan support. It…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3707, which this Member introduced, is an important measure that enjoys wide bipartisan support. It was considered and approved without objection by this body on March 28 of this year. The other body subsequently approved the legislation on May 2, with two modifications. The amendments to H.R. 3707 approved by the other body are minor in nature. One unnecessary introductory paragraph that refers to the 'unofficial' nature of U.S. relations with Taiwan is deleted. In addition, the other body added a sentence to Section 3(b) noting that if the Director of AIT certifies that certain security requirements related to construction of a new facility are not applicable on account of the special status of AIT, that he shall also certify that security considerations permit the exercise of the waiver of such requirements. Mr. Speaker, as a newly-elected freshman Member of this body, one of the first votes this Member cast was on passage of the Taiwan Relations Acts of 1979 (TRA). For over 20 years, the TRA has guided U.S. foreign policy and demonstrated our commitment to the security and well-being of Taiwan. And, after 20 years, our unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan are stronger, more robust, and more important than ever.”