TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US House Appropriations Committee on Monday released a bipartisan defense spending bill that includes NT$36.39 billion (US$1.15 billion) to support Taiwan’s security.

The committee announced a defense appropriations bill totaling US$839.2 billion, per CNA. It said that, as requested in the president’s proposed budget, the bill provides US$1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, as well as US$150 million to replace defense materiel and to reimburse defense services provided by the US. 

Late last year, the US Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, approving an authorization of US$1 billion for the TSCI. The appropriations bill released Monday formally allocates the budget, allowing the executive branch to use the funds.

Under the heading of “Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide,” the bill says that funds allocated to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency should include US$1 billion for the TSCI. These funds will remain available until Sept. 30, 2027.

The DSCA defines the TSCI as enabling Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability by strengthening the capacities of Taiwan’s armed forces, central government security forces, and central government security institutions to deter coercion and aggression. It also aims to enhance the capabilities of Taiwan’s central government civilian agencies to oversee and support those forces.

Under the bill, the funds are to be used by the secretary of defense, in coordination with the secretary of state, to assist Taiwan, including the purchase of new defense equipment, services, and military education and training. The secretary of defense is required to submit quarterly reports to the congressional defense committees on the use and status of these funds.

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees’ versions of the fiscal year 2026 NDAA include provisions related to Taiwan and the TSCI. The House Armed Services Committee’s bill authorizes US$1 billion in funding, while the House-passed fiscal year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act allocates US$500 million for the initiative, an increase of US$100 million over the previous year.

The defense appropriations bill released Monday is only one of several appropriations bills. Currently, most US federal government operations are being funded under a continuing resolution through Jan. 30. To avoid another government shutdown, Congress must pass the appropriations bills within 10 days.