News

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement applauding Senate passage of his Taiwan Travel Act bill:
 
“Taiwan is a fellow democracy and important partner in the Indo-Pacific region, so I am proud that Congress has now passed the Taiwan Travel Act and is sending it to the president’s desk.  I first introduced this legislation in 2016 to encourage high-level visits between American officials and their Taiwanese counterparts.  It is critical for the United States to strengthen our ties with Taiwan, especially as China increases efforts to isolate Taiwan and block its participation in international organizations.”
 
U.S. Representative Steve Chabot (R-OH) introduced the companion bill in the House.
 
Timeline of Rubio’s work to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations:

• February 8, 2018 – @SenRubioPress: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed the Taiwan Travel Act, my bill to signal American resolve in our support for #Taiwan in the face of #China’s attempts to isolate and intimidate Taipei. It now heads to the Senate floor.

• January 17, 2018 – SenRubioPress: #China unilaterally announcing new air routes near #Taiwan without consultation with Taiwanese authorities is a violation of the longstanding cross-strait status quo. Any changes across the strait should be decided by both sides.

• October 12, 2017 – @SenRubioPress: America should strengthen our ties with #Taiwan and reject #China‘s moves to interfere with our security interests and partners in Asia.

• May 4, 2017 – Rubio reintroduced the Taiwan Travel Act.

• April 28, 2017 – Rubio reaffirmed that the U.S. should remain committed to the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances.

• January 9, 2017 – After Beijing issued warnings, Rubio said President Tsai and Taiwanese officials are always invited to Florida.

• September 27, 2016 – Rubio introduced the Taiwan Travel Act in the 114^th Congress.

• June 24, 2016 – Rubio met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Miami.

• June 8, 2016 – Rubio co-sponsored an amendment to the NDAA (S. Amdt. 4560) authorizing Taiwanese military officials to wear their uniforms while in the United States, and granting observer status to Taiwanese military forces at Rim of the Pacific  exercises.

• May 19, 2016 – Rubio introduced a bipartisan concurrent resolution reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances” as cornerstones of U.S.-Taiwan relations, which passed the Senate July 7.

• January 16, 2016 –  Rubio congratulated Dr. Tsai Ing-wen as Taiwan’s newly-elected president.

• December 17, 2015 – Rubio welcomed the Obama Administration’s announcement of a long-overdue arms sale to Taiwan. 

• November 7, 2015 – Rubio called for stronger U.S.-Taiwan relations after a historic meeting between the presidents of China and Taiwan.

• April 3, 2014 – During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Rubio pressed the Obama Administration over its refusal to confirm the “Six Assurances” remain the guiding principles of U.S. policy toward Taiwan.