Washington: The United States House of Representatives has passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, which allocates US$500 million in aid for Taiwan. The bill, amounting to US$831.5 billion in discretionary spending, was approved by a 221-209 vote.

According to Focus Taiwan, the funds designated for Taiwan will be managed by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency and will be available until September 30, 2027, as part of the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. The legislation empowers the U.S. Secretary of Defense, with the Secretary of State’s consent, to utilize the funds for Taiwan’s procurement of defense articles and services, along with military training.

Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene had proposed an amendment to eliminate the US$500 million Taiwan-related funding from the bill. She argued on the House floor that the funding represented a US$100 million increase from the previous year. Greene expressed concerns that increasing foreign aid to Taiwan would heighten their dependency on the United States and highlighted the U.S. national debt of US$37 trillion as a reason to curtail foreign assistance. She further cautioned against escalating tensions with China, suggesting that the U.S. should prioritize its own borders over those of other countries like Taiwan and Ukraine. Her amendment was rejected in a 421-6 vote after facing bipartisan opposition.

In response, Republican Representative Ken Calvert stated the Trump administration had advocated for increased aid to Taiwan, suggesting US$1 billion. He noted that the proposal could have been assessed if necessary documents had been submitted by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Calvert emphasized that supporting Taiwan aligns with U.S. core interests, asserting that the funding is crucial for Taiwan to deter a potential Chinese invasion. “That’s the position of the Trump administration and that’s the position of this bill,” he affirmed.

Democratic Representative Betty McCollum highlighted the threat posed to Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China, warning that other nations, including the Philippines, might also be at risk if Taiwan were compromised. She stated that the bill would aid Taiwan in enhancing military readiness and deterrence capabilities.

The committee has tasked the U.S. Secretary of Defense with delivering a funding plan to the House and Senate appropriations committees within 60 days of the law’s enactment. For the bill to become law, it must be passed by the U.S. Senate in identical form before being presented to the president for signing.