US House Committee Unveils Defense Appropriations Bill Including $2 Billion for Taiwan Defense

(Central News Agency, Washington, D.C., 10th, by Hou Zih-ying) Amid heightened Chinese military threats against Taiwan, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee today unveiled the Fiscal Year 2027 defense appropriations bill. The bill includes $1 billion (approximately NT$31.7 billion) for the 'Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative' and an additional $1 billion to replenish defense articles provided to Taiwan.

The House Appropriations Committee released the text of the FY2027 defense appropriations bill today and announced that the committee's Defense Subcommittee will hold a closed-door markup session on the bill tomorrow.

In a press release, the House Appropriations Committee stated that the FY2027 defense appropriations bill provides a total of $1.72 trillion in discretionary funding. The bill aims to enhance America's strategic military advantage, strengthen support for active-duty service members and their families, optimize the operations of the Department of War, combat transnational drug trafficking, and implement the priority policy goals of the Trump administration.

Regarding Taiwan, the bill text stipulates that under the 'Cross-Agency Operations and Maintenance' account, $1 billion allocated to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency shall be made available for the 'Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative,' with funds available until September 30, 2028.

The bill states that the U.S. Secretary of War, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, may use these funds to provide assistance to Taiwan, including the procurement of new defense articles, services, and military education and training.

Furthermore, the bill text states that under the 'Cross-Agency Operations and Maintenance' account, $1 billion is allocated for the replacement and reimbursement of defense articles and services provided to Taiwan. (Editor: Tien Jui-hua) 1150611