Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is spearheading a delegation of Committee members on a visit to Taiwan from Feb. 22-24. The purpose of this trip is to bolster ties between the U.S. and Taiwan in light of escalating tensions with China.
Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Reps. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) are accompanying Gallagher on this journey, as per a press release from the Committee on the CCP. They intend to meet and converse with Taiwanese officials to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade, and investment.
According to NBC News, Gallagher said, "We need to make sure we're delivering on the foreign military sales that you [Taiwan] have purchased and we have approved but have yet to be delivered. We have a $20 billion backlog. That's the biggest thing we can do to deter China and reduce its aggression." He pointed out that resupplying Taiwan would be more challenging in case of an invasion due to its island status. He stressed learning from Ukraine's experience in order to do everything possible to prevent war. Gallagher added that regardless of who wins the United States' presidential election this year, support for Taiwan will persist.
"Time and again Taiwan has shown the world how to stand up to the CCP's bullying and not only survive but thrive," Gallagher stated in the press release. "We are thrilled to be in Taipei to show our support for our friends in Taiwan, President-Elect Lai and the newly elected Legislative Yuan. The United States stands with Taiwan. By promoting deeper ties between our leaders and our economies we can enhance peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."
Gallagher represents Wisconsin's 8th District and was elected in 2017, according to his website. In addition to serving as chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, Gallagher is also the chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation, and a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
