U.S. Senators John Curtis and Catherine Cortez Masto introduced the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act on April 16 to mark the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The new bipartisan legislation aims to strengthen congressional oversight and ensure that the United States is prepared to uphold its commitments under existing law regarding Taiwan.
The legislation comes amid increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with China. It would require the Secretary of War, working with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, to submit an annual report to Congress evaluating America’s ability to deter aggression against Taiwan and maintain regional stability.
“Since the Taiwan Relations Act became law in 1979, Congress has played the leading role in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship,” said Senator Curtis. “This bill affirms that legacy by ensuring Congress has the information it needs to evaluate whether our military posture, industrial base, and alliances are sufficient to deter conflict and preserve peace in the Taiwan Strait.” Senator Cortez Masto said, “As the Chinese Communist Party tries to exert more influence in the Indo-Pacific, the United States remains committed to defending our ally Taiwan and deterring China’s aggression. To do so, we need to make sure our military is ready and capable to meet its obligations to defend Taiwan. We cannot wait for the first shot to catch us unaware.”
The bill mandates a comprehensive review of U.S. capabilities as required by current law and also calls for identifying capability gaps along with recommendations for addressing them through budgetary or legislative changes over time. Importantly, it does not authorize use of military force nor alter statutory requirements under existing law.
Senator Curtis represents Utah in the Senate after serving two terms as mayor of Provo according to his official website. He founded both the Conservative Climate Caucus—promoting sustainable practices—and serves on multiple committees focused on issues such as public land management and human trafficking according to his official website. Curtis is recognized among effective Republican members of Congress according to his official website while advocating for small businesses.
Recently, Curtis led a bipartisan delegation visit emphasizing Congressional support for increased defense cooperation with Taiwan.