The U.S. Congress has recently advanced a new round of appropriations bills related to national security and foreign affairs, with military and security support for Taiwan once again in the spotlight.
According to Focus Taiwan, on April 28, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill covering the State Department and national security-related programs. In addition to overall budget adjustments, the bill includes support for Taiwan’s participation in multilateral organizations and provides $500 million in assistance to Taiwan under foreign military financing programs—clearly signaling strengthened security assistance and political support.
According to a press release from the House Appropriations Committee, the committee reviewed the bill covering national security, the State Department, and related programs on the 28th, ultimately passing it by a vote of 35 to 27.
The total budget for fiscal year 2027 amounts to $47.32 billion, a decrease of $2.69 billion (about 6 percent) compared to fiscal year 2026. The bill still plans to allocate approximately $500 million (about NT$15.76 billion) for Taiwan-related support programs and mechanisms, listing Taiwan as one of the priority recipients. It also requires the U.S. executive branch to prioritize Taiwan’s needs when providing defense materials and military cooperation, underscoring Washington’s emphasis on security in the Taiwan Strait.
The press release states that the bill supports President Donald Trump’s vision of refocusing and adjusting U.S. foreign policy, aiming to make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous, while ensuring that all expenditures comply with relevant executive orders.
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In addition to direct or indirect military assistance, the bill continues the policy direction of recent years by using multiple tools—such as Foreign Military Financing (FMF), loans, and guarantees—to help Taiwan acquire U.S.-made weapons and strengthened its defense capabilities, while also increasing flexibility in how funds are used.
Don’t label Taiwan as part of China
At the political level, the bill also incorporates a number of pro-Taiwan provisions. For example, it requires that official documents and funding must not label Taiwan as part of China, and it emphasizes support for Taiwan’s participation in the international community—showing that the U.S. Congress continues to strengthen its Taiwan policy through legislation.
The bill maintains strong funding support for U.S. allies such as Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan, while countering rivals like the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, Cuba, and drug trafficking groups.
Committee member and Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart stated: “If you are a friend or ally of the United States, this bill supports you. If you are an adversary or are cozying up to our adversaries, then you will not like this bill.”
In addition, U.S. officials recently noted in congressional hearings that more Taiwan-related security assistance measures are under consideration, and urged Taiwan to accelerate passage of its own defense budget to ensure timely acquisition of weapons and improved deterrence capabilities. This indicates that U.S.–Taiwan security cooperation is advancing in parallel. Under U.S. law, the bill must pass identical versions in both the House of Representatives and the Senate before being sent to the president for signature into law.
By Li Ming
