TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2026, a comprehensive defense spending package totaling US$831.5 billion, during a late-night session ending in the early hours of July 18. The legislation allocates US$500 million specifically for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, a program designed to bolster Taiwan's defensive capabilities. A proposal by Representative Marjorie Greene to slash US$1.6 billion in combined military assistance to Taiwan, Ukraine, and Israel faced overwhelming rejection, with 421 representatives voting against the measure and merely six supporting it.
The White House issued a statement on July 17 pressing Congress to double Taiwan's funding allocation to US$1 billion, signaling the administration's commitment to Taiwan's security. Representative Kenneth Calvert (克維特), who chairs the influential House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, indicated his committee's willingness to consider the full funding request if the administration expedites submission of comprehensive budget documentation. Representative Betty McCollum, the leading Democratic member on the same subcommittee, delivered a stark assessment of China's intentions, warning that American policymakers should take seriously Beijing's stated ambitions regarding Taiwan unification.
Kevin Rudd, Australia's ambassador to the United States and former prime minister with extensive China expertise, characterized Taiwan's future as a critical strategic concern for the Indo-Pacific region. He cautioned that Taiwan's potential loss would profoundly destabilize regional security architecture and remove a key constraint on Chinese military projection. Rudd elaborated that Taiwan currently absorbs significant Chinese military attention and resources that would otherwise be deployed elsewhere. Nicholas Burns, who served as U.S. Ambassador to China, noted the remarkable policy continuity regarding Taiwan across American administrations. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$29.47)
