House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes EAGLE Act with Bera-Authored Legislation on Taiwan and Oceania

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement (EAGLE) Act, which included key legislation authored by Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation. The EAGLE Act includes Bera-led H.R. 3972, the Taiwan Peace and Stability Act, H.R. 3084, the Taiwan Fellowship Act, as well as key provisions from Rep. Bera's H.R. 3372, the Honoring Our Commitment to Elevate America's Neighbor Islands and Allies Act(OCEANIA) Act.

The Taiwan Peace and Stability Act strengthens U.S. support for Taiwan's participation in the international community, advances U.S.-Taiwan economic ties, and enhances deterrence over a cross-Strait conflict. The Taiwan Fellowship Act establishes a fellowship exchange program for U.S. federal government employees in all three branches of government to learn, live, and work in Taiwan for a length of up to two years.

'Taiwan's democracy is critical to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Yet, Beijing continues its relentless campaign to isolate Taiwan from the international community and has significantly increased its economic and military pressure on Taiwan,' said Representative Bera. 'The Taiwan Peace and Stability Act will strengthen U.S. support for Taiwan by helping expand Taiwan's participation in international organizations, advancing U.S. economic ties with the country, and enhancing deterrence over Beijing's growing military provocations around Taiwan.'

Rep. Bera continued: 'My Taiwan Fellowship Act will strengthen U.S. people-to-people ties with Taiwan ties by sending U.S. policymakers to Taiwan, equipping them with better knowledge of the region's history, culture, and political dynamics, while expanding expertise in the Mandarin Chinese language.'

The Honoring OCEANIA Act would elevate the strategically important region of the Pacific Islands in U.S. foreign policymaking to help deliver a robust diplomatic and development commitment to the region, in support of the long-term growth, governance, and resilience needs of the region.

'The Indo-Pacific is the most consequential region for U.S. foreign policy, and we must look to expand our engagement in the region beyond our core presence, to include all possible allies and partners,' said Representative Bera. 'The Honoring OCEANIA Act will strengthen U.S. national security and economic engagement in the Oceania region, including working with our allies and partners on areas such as maritime security, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness.'