Standing Up for Our Allies

Statement

Before Thanksgiving, I filed an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill to require the Obama Administration to sell at least 66 new F-16 C/Ds to our friend Taiwan, to whom we have an obligation under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide military equipment in order to maintain self-defense capabilities. This is the same amendment I offered in September that was defeated after intense lobbying from the White House, which refuses to sell Taiwan new aircraft, despite its aging and inadequate fleet of fighter jets.

Regrettably, despite bipartisan support, the Majority refuses to even allow a vote on my amendment. It is inconceivable to me that this administration would deny an important American ally in its bid to buy American-made aircraft for its own self-defense. It sends a terrible message not just to Taiwan, but to all of our allies around the world. They need to be assured that America won't abandon them, or our principles, in the face of intimidation of political pressure -- even if it comes from China, our biggest creditor. I'm going to keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this legislation passed.

Source