As the US Congress scrambled to adjourn for the year, it took a major shot at the Clinton administration's shoddy treatment of Taiwan. Upset by this lack of action and by Clinton's three nos in Shanghai which undercut the policy review's modest goals, Representative Sherrod Brown of Ohio crafted the House resolution to put some legislative pressure on the State Department.
Good health is a basic right for every citizen of the world.
Passage of this bill shows Congress' full support for the people of Taiwan's right to participate in the WHO and also their right to determine their own future, as laid down in Article 1 of the UN charter. This is not only a major step toward Taiwan's membership in the WHO, but also a step toward Taiwan's membership in international organizations in general. Passage of this resolution puts Taiwan where it belongs, front and center in the community of nations. This is an important first step toward full recognition of Taiwan as a state among states. A key player in keeping the TSEA from a House floor vote was Representative David Dreier, chair of the powerful House rules committee.