U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) and Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) landed in Taiwan today with a delegation of lawmakers in the House Armed Services Committee.
Rogers, who chairs the committee in Congress, led the delegation that will meet with Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other issues.
It’s wheels down for one of the largest #US?? congressional delegations to #Taiwan?? in years! The group focusing on security affairs comprises House Armed Services Committee Chair @RepMikeRogersAL, Ranking Member @RepAdamSmith & 7 other lawmakers from both sides of the aisle! pic.twitter.com/suBbazM4wG
— 外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) ?? (@MOFA_Taiwan) June 27, 2023
Rogers has been outspoken about the threats Taiwan faces from the Chinese Communist Party.
“It’s gotten to the point where Xi’s foreign ministry is now seeking to intimidate the Speaker and other members of Congress just for supporting democracy and self-determination for the people of Taiwan,” Rogers said during a hearing in April. “This is not how responsible nations behave. Especially not nations armed with nuclear weapons.
“We have no choice but to take Xi’s threats seriously. And we have to be resolute in our response.”
According to the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation is scheduled to meet Wednesday with President Tsai Ing-wen.
While other members of Congress have visited Taiwan recently, this is the first time Rogers and Palmer have visited the island.
Also joining the delegation are Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Cory Mills (R-Fla.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn), and David Rouzer (R-N.C.), and Delegate James Moylan (R-Guam).
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
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