House approves $500 million in aid for Taiwan

The House of Representatives passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026, which includes $500 million for Taiwan, The Taipei Times reported.

The bill, which involves discretionary spending of $831.5 billion, passed with 221 votes in favor and 209 against, the report said.

According to the information, the funds for Taiwan would be administered by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and will remain available until Sept. 30, 2027, for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.

The passage of this package, which occurred Friday, authorizes the U.S. secretary of defense to use the funds to assist Taiwan in acquiring defense articles and services and military training.

An amendment to remove $500 million in funds from the bill

However, in the same session, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed an amendment to remove $500 million in funds related to Taiwan from the bill. The congresswoman told the House that the amount represents a $100 million increase over the previous year.

Greene said the country, with its $37 trillion national debt, could not afford to continue providing foreign assistance to other nations, and that the move "will only increase [Taiwan's] reliance on the United States."

She also warned against the possibility of instigating "World War III" with China. Her amendment was rejected in a 421-6 vote after bipartisan opposition.

Trump proposed $1 billion in aid

Republican Rep. Ken Calvert said President Trump's administration had issued a policy statement the day before calling for more aid for Taiwan, recommending $1 billion.

The proposal was dismissed because the White House Office of Management and Budget failed to submit "relevant materials in a timely manner."

The committee directed the secretary of defense to submit a funding plan to the House and Senate appropriations committees within 60 days of the law taking effect. Under the law, the bill must be approved by the Senate in the same form before it can be sent to the president for his signature.