The U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee advanced the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 on Sept. 14, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate. There were some changes to the symbolic areas of the bill. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will follow the bill's progress and continue closely communicating with Congress.
The U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee advanced the Taiwan Policy Act of 2022 on Sept. 14 by a vote of 17 to 5, paving the way for a vote in the full Senate. This bill is regarded as the most comprehensive restructuring of U.S. policy towards Taiwan since 1979. Committee Chairperson Bob Menendez, who proposed the bill, said he believes it will strengthen Taiwan's security and deter China. He also stressed U.S. policy towards Taiwan has not changed.
Bob Menendez, US Senator: “... does not change our policy to Taiwan as it exists today, but it gives greater clarity about our willingness to help Taiwan.”
Tsui Ching-lin, Deputy Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to follow the progress of the Taiwan Policy Act and maintain close communications with the U.S. Congress and executive branch. We hope this bill can be effected during the current session.”
There were reports that the White House had concerns about some sections of the bill, and several Democrats voted against the bill. Several symbolic clauses were amended. The provisions on changing the name of the representative office and requiring Senate confirmation for the director of the American Institute in Taiwan were changed to suggestions. However, no changes were made to clauses on Taiwan's status as a major non-NATO ally and providing Taiwan with military financing.
Li Da-jung, Assoc. Prof., Grad. Inst. of Int'l Affairs & Strategic Studies, TKU: “The current version deals with it in a vaguer manner. However, the overall legislative process has only just begun, because the House of Representatives will also have its own version.”
Meanwhile, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance of China, which has members from around 30 countries, is holding a conference in Washington. It issued a communique saying that China cannot dictate other countries' relationships with Taiwan and they will promote exchange visits with Taiwan's legislators and uphold peace across the Taiwan Strait. In response, MOFA expressed its most sincere gratitude.
美國參議院外委會，美國時間14日以17票贊成、5票反對，通過備受矚目的《台灣政策法案》，接下來將送交參院全院審議。這部法案被視為1979年以來最全面重整美國對台政策的法案，提案的參議院外委會主席梅南德茲認為，這可以強化對台灣的安全援助，加強對中國的威懾，也不改變美國對台政策。
美國參議員梅南德茲說道：「這並沒有改變我們既有對台灣的政策，但更加清楚的闡明了我們協助台灣的意願。」
外交部副發言人崔靜麟表示：「外交部將持續關注《台灣政策法案》的後續進展，並且將與美國國會以及行政部門維持緊密地溝通，期待在這本屆美國國會的有限會期中，能夠促成這項立法。」
先前白宮傳出對《台灣政策法案》的部分內容感到擔憂，幾位民主黨議員也投下反對票，因此象徵性條文有所調整，將駐美代表處更名及AIT處長任命須國會同意等改為建議性質，但賦予台灣非北約盟友地位及提供台灣軍事融資則沒有變動。
淡江戰略所副教授李大中指出：「所以目前來說它的版本是把一些地方，稍微用比較模糊的方法去處理它，但是這個整個立法過程目前才剛剛開始，因為也要看眾議院的版本如何。」
另外串連約30個國家的對華政策跨國議會聯盟，在華府舉行峰會並發布公報，強調各國與台灣的關係不是中國說了算，將推動增加與台灣國會議員互訪，捍衛台海和平，外交部對此表示誠摯感謝。
