The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations will review a series of bills by October 22, three of which involve Taiwan. They include the PORCUPINE Act, which would streamline the process for arms sales to Taiwan. 

The PORCUPINE Act would include Taiwan on the list of recipient countries with shorter congressional notification timelines for arms sales and higher monetary threshold values. This would allow Taiwan to enjoy the same benefits as NATO member states, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and other U.S. allies and partners, or NATO Plus.

For NATO Plus member countries, the president is required to formally notify Congress 15 days in advance if the value of major defense equipment exceeds US$25 million. At present, arms sales to Taiwan require not only earlier notification to Congress, but also a lower threshold for notification. 

The act also authorizes the Secretary of State to establish a swift decision-making process for the transfer of U.S.-made military equipment and services to Taiwan as a member of NATO Plus. Republican senator Pete Ricketts first sponsored the act in June alongside Democratic senator Chris Coons.

Also up for review is the Taiwan International Solidarity Act, which requires the U.S. to oppose any attempt by China to distort the decisions, language, policies, or procedures of any organization to resolve Taiwan’s status; finally, the U.S.-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act will be reviewed October 22 as well, which supports Latin American and Caribbean countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.