TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US senators from both sides of the aisle on Thursday reintroduced a bill to bolster congressional oversight and ensure the US can meet its commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act.
Senators John Curtis and Catherine Cortez Masto jointly announced that the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act would require the defense secretary, in coordination with the US Indo-Pacific Command, to submit an annual report to Congress evaluating the US ability to deter aggression against Taiwan and preserve regional stability. The original version was first proposed by then-Senator Marco Rubio, now secretary of state.
Curtis said that since the Taiwan Relations Act was enacted in 1979, Congress has taken the lead in shaping US-Taiwan relations.
“This bill affirms that legacy by ensuring Congress has the information it needs to evaluate whether our military posture, industrial base, and alliances are sufficient to deter conflict and preserve peace in the Taiwan Strait,” said Curtis.
Cortez Masto said that as the Chinese Communist Party expands its influence in the Indo-Pacific, the US remains committed to supporting Taiwan and deterring Beijing’s aggression. Meeting that commitment requires ensuring the US military is prepared and capable of carrying out its responsibilities to help defend Taiwan.
She stressed, “We cannot wait for the first shot to catch us unaware.”
The bill’s key provisions include assessing readiness to deter or respond to a potential invasion, blockade, or major strike against Taiwan, as well as the resilience of US forces, logistics, and supply chains in the Indo-Pacific. It also evaluates the capacity of the US defense industrial base to sustain a prolonged conflict.
Rubio and Merkley previously introduced similar bills in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
