III 

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. HYDESMITH, 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; 

2 

•SRES 521 ATS 

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 

1 Resolved, 

2 SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE. 

3 The Senate— 

3 

•SRES 521 ATS 

1 (1) commends Taiwan for the example it has 

2 set for self-governance, not just for the Pacific re3 gion, but for the world; 

4 (2) regards the democracy of Taiwan as a great 

5 strategic strength for the free world and an indis6 pensable component of contemporary United States7 Taiwan relations; 

8 (3) remains concerned about interference in 

9 Taiwan’s 2024 elections by the Chinese Communist 

10 Party; 

11 (4) is committed to continuing a strong part12 nership across diplomatic, information, economic, 

13 and cultural domains, regardless of the outcome of 

14 Taiwan’s 2024 elections; and 

15 (5) remains committed to United States policy 

16 as established by the Taiwan Relations Act (Public 

17 Law 96–8; 22 U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), the Three 

18 Communique ́s, and the Six Assurances towards Tai19 wan. 

20 SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 

21 Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as an 

22 authorization for the use of military force. 

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