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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 521 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 521

    Commending Taiwan for its history of democratic elections, and 
        expressing support of Taiwan's democratic institutions.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 11, 2024

Mr. Sullivan (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. 
     Cramer, Mr. Coons, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Ricketts, Ms. 
 Murkowski, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Budd, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Daines, 
    Mr. Tillis, Mr. Young, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Romney, Ms. 
 Duckworth, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Markey, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Scott 
of Florida, Mrs. Blackburn, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Warnock, Mr. 
 Graham, Mrs. Britt, Mrs. Fischer, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Durbin, 
 Ms. Cortez Masto, Ms. Sinema, Mr. Booker, Mr. Manchin, Mr. Marshall, 
 Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Barrasso, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Lankford, 
 Mr. Bennet, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Hickenlooper, and Mr. Cotton) submitted 
      the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Commending Taiwan for its history of democratic elections, and 
        expressing support of Taiwan's democratic institutions.

Whereas Taiwan, the government of which officially calls itself the Republic of 
        China (ROC), began transitioning to a liberal democracy in the late 
        1980s, lifting martial law in 1987 and holding the first direct 
        legislative election in 1992 and the first direct presidential election 
        in 1996;
Whereas Taiwan has now held 7 presidential, 9 legislative, and many local 
        elections since the democratic transition, all of which were free, fair, 
        and representative of the will of the people of Taiwan;
Whereas Taiwan has peacefully transferred presidential power between political 
        parties 3 times and peacefully transferred parliamentary power between 
        political parties 3 times;
Whereas the peaceful transfer of power is a bedrock of a free, stable, and 
        representative political system;
Whereas the democratic institutions of Taiwan codify the freedoms of speech, 
        press, assembly, and religion into law, and the citizens of Taiwan have 
        exercised these freedoms in practice, building a vibrant civil society, 
        strong journalistic and media sector, and an advanced business 
        community;
Whereas the rule of law and vibrant civil society, diverse economy, and stable 
        political system form the basis for the prosperity and freedoms of 
        Taiwan, which rank far above the global average; and
Whereas, on January 13, 2024, Taiwan will hold its eighth presidential election 
        and tenth legislative election since beginning the transition to 
        democracy, after which a new president, vice president, and legislature 
        will take office: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

    The Senate--
            (1) commends Taiwan for the example it has set for self-
        governance, not just for the Pacific region, but for the world;
            (2) regards the democracy of Taiwan as a great strategic 
        strength for the free world and an indispensable component of 
        contemporary United States-Taiwan relations;
            (3) remains concerned about interference in Taiwan's 2024 
        elections by the Chinese Communist Party;
            (4) is committed to continuing a strong partnership across 
        diplomatic, information, economic, and cultural domains, 
        regardless of the outcome of Taiwan's 2024 elections; and
            (5) remains committed to United States policy as 
        established by the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8; 22 
        U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the Three Communiques, and the Six 
        Assurances towards Taiwan.

SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as an authorization 
for the use of military force.
                                 <all>
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