The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act on July 15, allocating US$47.32 billion for the Department of State and related agencies for fiscal year 2027.
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The bill provides security assistance to allies, including Taiwan and Israel, while supporting efforts to counter the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Iran, and other adversaries. According to a press release issued Wednesday by the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, the legislation allocates US$500 million in assistance to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.
US House passes appropriations bill to strengthen support for allies
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According to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, the House on July 15 considered the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2027, which funds the State Department, foreign assistance programs, and other national security priorities. The legislation ultimately passed the House by a largely party-line vote of 217 to 209.
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The House Appropriations Committee said the bill provides a total of US$47.32 billion in funding, representing a reduction of US$2.69 billion, or about six percent, compared with fiscal year 2026. However, the total remains approximately US$11.7 billion higher than the budget request previously submitted by the White House.
Despite the overall reduction in spending, the bill maintains robust funding for U.S. allies including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan, while supporting efforts to counter adversaries such as the CCP, Iran, Cuba, and transnational drug trafficking organizations. According to the committee, the legislation also continues the “America First” foreign policy approach championed by the Trump administration.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, a Republican congressman, said during floor debate that the bill “stands firmly with America’s friends while drawing a clear line against its adversaries,” reported Taiwan’s Central News agency (CNA).
Cole said the legislation “strengthens support for key allies such as Israel and Taiwan, while directly countering threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and other regimes that challenge U.S. interests and principles.
He added that the bill also raises expectations for U.S. partners, emphasizing that “enduring alliances are strongest when responsibilities are shared.”
US$500 million in military assistance for Taiwan
The bill includes several measures related to the Indo-Pacific. Under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) Program, it allocates no less than US$500 million (approximately NT$15.78 billion) in military assistance for Taiwan. It also provides US$200 million in military assistance to the Philippines and appropriates US$1.8 billion to strengthen security across the Indo-Pacific region and counter the CCP’s influence.
In addition, the legislation directs the U.S. Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of War, to prioritize the delivery of defense articles and defense services to Taiwan.
Other Taiwan-related provisions in the bill specify that, of the funds appropriated under the National Security Investment Programs, no less than US$4 million shall be allocated to support the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF), an initiative implemented by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
The bill also states that, when considering foreign assistance to a government, the Secretary of State should take into account whether that government’s voting record at the United Nations aligns with U.S. strategic interests, as well as whether it supports Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the meetings and activities of multilateral organizations, bodies, or committees. These factors are to be included in the evaluation of eligibility for U.S. assistance.
In addition, the legislation stipulates that none of the funds appropriated under the act may be used to produce, procure, or display any map that inaccurately depicts the territorial boundaries of Taiwan and the islands administered by Taiwan, or that misrepresents their political, social, or economic systems.
Under U.S. law, the appropriations bill must be passed in identical form by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be sent to President Donald Trump for signature and become law.
CCP reportedly issued ‘three principles’ to Taiwan’s opposition
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has continued to intensify pressure on Taiwan through military intimidation, economic coercion, cognitive warfare, and diplomatic isolation in an effort to alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing has also sought to leverage the legislative majority held by Taiwan’s opposition parties—the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)—to obstruct efforts to strengthen Taiwan’s national defense and develop its domestic drone industry.
According to Taiwan’s Liberty Times, the CCP, through unofficial channels, conveyed its concerns to Taiwan’s opposition camp and issued three specific guiding principles regarding legislation on drones currently under review in the Legislative Yuan: “Replace military with civilian” — Promote civilian, commercial, and peaceful applications of drones while stigmatizing proposals to develop military drones.
“Maintain flexibility in the timeline” — Delay the legislative process to gain additional time and “Create supply chain opportunities” — Provide opportunities for Taiwan-invested businesses in mainland China and related industries to participate in Taiwan’s “non-red supply chain” for drones.
Taiwanese Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (Ku Li-hsiung) responded that drones are a critical component of Taiwan’s effort to build asymmetric defense capabilities and are essential to the country’s defense of the Taiwan Strait. He said the Ministry of National Defense’s procurement plan is based on urgent operational requirements, adding that Beijing’s objections only underscore the necessity of the program, the Taipei Times reported.
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