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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 US Senate approves bill mandating aid to Taiwan
President Joe Biden speaks before signing a $95 billion Ukraine aid package that also includes support for Israel, Taiwan, and other allies, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington yesterday. Photo: AP
TAIPEI’S GRATITUDE: President Tsai Ing-wen thanked the US for its support and called for more collaboration to contribute to the peace and stability of the region
By Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNA and AP
The US Senate on Tuesday approved US$95 billion in aid to Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel, with the package of bills containing the funding expected to be signed into law after press time last night.
The Senate passed the bills in a 79-18 vote after the US House of Representatives on Saturday approved the package, which US President Joe Biden said he would sign.
“Tonight, a bipartisan majority in the Senate joined the House to answer history’s call at this critical inflection point,” Biden said.
The legislation would send US$26 billion in wartime assistance to Israel and humanitarian relief to citizens of Gaza, and US$8 billion to counter Chinese threats to Taiwan and in the Indo-Pacific.
US officials said that about US$1 billion of the aid package could be on its way shortly, with the bulk following in coming weeks.
In Taipei yesterday, President Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） thanked the US for its support, including the Senate’s action, in a meeting with a US delegation.
Taiwan will continue to work with the US and other countries to bolster the “pan-democratic alliance,” and create global prosperity and stability, Tsai told the delegation at the Presidential Office.
Tsai thanked the delegation, which comprises US representatives Lisa McClain, Dan Kildee and Mark Alford, for their efforts to advance legislation that would support Taiwan’s participation on the international stage.
She also thanked the US House of Representatives for its work to advance the Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would allocate funding for continued Taiwan-US collaboration.
Tsai also thanked the delegation members for their roles in enhancing Taiwan-US collaboration.
With this year marking 45 years since the US’ Taiwan Relations Act became law, Taiwan and the US should boost their collaborations to contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and to limit authoritarian expansion, she said.
Tsai reiterated the nation’s gratitude for Washington’s military sales to Taiwan based on the “six assurances” and the Taiwan Relations Act.
In addition to completing the first batch of agreements under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, hopefully the US-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act would be finalized soon, Tsai said, adding that the two sides are important trade partners.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
President Tsai Ing-wen, right, and US Representative Lisa McClain shake hands at the Presidential Office in Taipei yesterday. Photo: CNA
Supporters of Ukraine rally outside the U.S. Capitol after the Senate passed a foreign aid bill on April 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Senate passed the national security supplemental package which includes $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. Photo: AFP
