WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined his colleagues on a bipartisan bill which would assist Taiwan in efforts to defend itself and deter Chinese aggression. Titled the Strengthen Taiwan’s Security Act, the measure would evaluate opportunities to deliver lethal aid to Taiwan, boost Taiwan’s reconnaissance capabilities, and potentially bolster munitions stockpiles near Taiwan. Wicker cosponsored the act with Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Deb Fischer, R-Neb.

“China is amassing military power at an alarming pace, posing a major threat to our vital democratic ally Taiwan,” Wicker said. “Keeping Taiwan safe will require effective deterrence. I am glad to work on a bipartisan effort to provide Taiwan the high-end equipment it needs to deter China.” 

Specifically, the Strengthen Taiwan’s Security Act would:

• Improve Taiwan’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to provide better detection of PRC activities indicating a direct threat;
• Explore the potential for pre-positioning stock on or near the island to aid Taiwan’s ability to endure conflict; and
• Identify weapons systems and other lethal aid that could be delivered to Taiwan using existing authorities, like the Presidential Drawdown Authority, as well as potential barriers to delivering aid once a military invasion or blockade has started to ensure appropriate speed of action in providing such lethal aid.

The bill follows a recent op-ed Wicker authored alongside former Senator Phil Gramm, R-Texas, in the Wall Street Journal advocating for the delivery of small arms to Taiwan as an effective deterrent against Chinese aggression.

Read the full bill text here.