In the face of heightened Communist Chinese belligerence and threats, congressional Republicans are preparing to introduce legislation for a “lend-lease” military aid program for Taiwan.
Similar to the World War II program of the same name that aided both Britain and Russia, the GOP bill would authorize the president to lend or lease weapons and military equipment to Taiwan.
Earlier this year Congress voted to resurrect the lend-lease program to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russia. Lawmakers hope to do the same now for Taiwan before it gets invaded.
The island nation would then have 12 years to repay the cost of “restoring or replacing” the borrowed weapons, though the bill allows the White House to renegotiate the repayment sum if it determines that the money would harm the national security of Taiwan and the United States.
Thankfully, this is one area we seem to have bipartisanship, with the bill already gaining critical bipartisan support within Congress.
In the House, the bill was initiated by GOP Rep. Michelle Steel of California, a first-generation American of Korean heritage who defeated Democrat Rep. Harley Rouda in 2021.
“I'm proud to lead this bipartisan bill in Congress to show the CCP that we will not back down from supporting our allies,” said Steel.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn a Republican from Tennessee, is presenting the bill in the Senate. She said:
Taiwan is our greatest partner in the Indo-Pacific region, and their continued sovereignty is essential to challenging the New Axis of Evil.” Taiwan should know that the United States will support them with defense supplies – including weapons and machinery – regardless of what the Chinese Communist Party says.
Taiwan's official representative to the U.S., Representative Bi-khim Hsiao, told Fox News Digital that it welcomed any help in its fight for freedom.
We appreciate Congress' effort to seek creative avenues to strengthen Taiwan's defense capabilities. Taiwan is determined to defend our freedom and democratic way of life, and we will continue to work with the U.S. and like-minded partners to uphold the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
ALD
Move B-2, B-1, F-15C, F-22 to Guam. 2 carriers at standoff range with lots of protection. Tankers dispersed to support. AWACS on 24 hour patrol of SC Sea. All attack subs on station to take out any threat.
Time to see if China is bluffing or not. There is no way Pelosi can not go there now. To do otherwise would give China a victory without ever firing a shot. Of course our government needs to be prepared, and willing, to take immediate action should they attempt to shoot down, or drive away, her plane, or any escort planes.
This is NOT like the WWII “Lend-Lease” program where we loaned military equipment to an ally an received permission, i.e. a “lease,” to have a base on territory they controlled. Is the Pentagon planning on building a base on Taiwan in exchange for “loaned” military equipment? Plus, in WWII, the ally (the U.K.) was actively engaged in a war already and had a desperate need for certain military hardware. One thing they got was 50 old destroyers which had been mothballed after WWI for convoy duty.
Maybe a base with a port or landing beach. How many carriers do we have mothballed? The Uss Missouri still floats.
Proven in WW2, why not, apply to Ukraine??
I thought the U. S. had a base on Taiwan. I believe it was Kadina (sp) Air Force Base. Either way, if there are U. S. military troops there they need to have support. Sincerely doubt they will get any from this administration.
The bases that the US had in the Philippines were a good location. Time to reactivate them. The Philipinos could use the money.
Lend Lease worked well with Russia with naval ships in WW 2. I understand that Russia never paid for them.
Maybe Taiwan could pay in micro chips.
Xiden would rather let his handlers expand their territory and human slavery.