U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Young Kim (R-CA) have introduced a bill that seeks to ensure efficient delivery of domestic defense equipment sold to Taiwan and Indo Pacific allies.
The Arms Exports Delivery Solutions Act (H.R. 8259) would track transfers while reaffirming congressional commitment to American allies and bolstering transparency amid upholding security agreements and identifying delivery time lag solutions.
“Delayed deliveries of Congressionally approved sales to Taiwan are undermining our ability to deter an attack from China,” McCaul, House Foreign Affairs Committee lead Republican, said. “This is incredibly concerning as China ramps up its belligerence towards Taiwan. I commend Rep. Kim for her effort to get to the bottom of this issue and other arms sales to critical regional allies with this important legislation.”
Among other provisions, the measure would require a report from the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State on the list of approved transfer of defense articles to Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand; the estimated start and end dates of delivery for approved and incomplete transfer items; and all changes in delivery dates with explanations for the delays, options for expediting the deliveries, and authorities and powers Congress can use to expedite the deliveries.
“Supporting our vulnerable allies is critical to keeping Americans safe at home and abroad, protecting the free flow of commerce in international trade routes, and strengthening our economy and national security,” Kim, vice ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, said. “The Arms Exports Delivery Solutions Act ensures that defense equipment already purchased from the U.S. by Taiwan and other allies in the region are tracked and delivered as efficiently as possible as the Chinese Communist Party eyes further aggression.”