Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
March 23, 2022
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today applauded committee passage of a resolution commending the government of Lithuania for increasing ties with Taiwan and supporting its firm stance against coercion by China.
“The Committee’s bipartisan approval of our resolution sends a powerful message to China that the U.S. will not sit idly by as it seeks to impose its views and use economic manipulation against Lithuania and other democracies throughout Eastern Europe,” said Shaheen. “Now more than ever, the U.S. must take every opportunity to make clear to authoritarian regimes and strongmen around the world that we will not tolerate malign behavior that threatens our world order or the stability of liberal democracies. I’m glad to see my resolution with Senator Risch reaffirming U.S. solidarity with Lithuania as it fortifies relations with Taiwan pass out of committee, and I urge the Senate to quickly follow suit.”
“Lithuania deserves recognition for its decision to stand with Taiwan despite the backlash it receives from Beijing,” said Risch. “Our resolution sends a signal to all our allies that when you make the moral choice to stand with a fellow democracy and stand up to coercive authoritarian pressure, you can trust your allies will be united with you.”
This resolution:
- Commends Lithuania for strengthening ties with Taiwan;
- Recognizes the bold actions Lithuania has taken to highlight the malign actions of China; and
- Encourages nations around the world to support Lithuania and confront Chinese coercion.
Full text of the resolution as introduced can be found here.
Shaheen is a leader in the Senate in the push against an increasingly competitive and aggressive China, including through her role as co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). As Congress considers comprehensive legislation to bolster U.S. competitiveness over China, Shaheen has worked to include provisions that would increase U.S. exports to support developing nations, add defense attachés in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance U.S. diplomatic capabilities and reaffirm the urgency for the U.S. to confirm qualified ambassadors to key parts of the world to counter Chinese influence.
The Senate passed the watershed bill, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, in June 2021, and will soon conference with the House on final bill text. The comprehensive bill will invest in innovative education, good-paying jobs and cutting-edge industries to increase American competitiveness and safeguard our national security against China. Shaheen also introduced the Transatlantic Telecommunication Security Act (TTSA), which would strengthen European telecommunications infrastructure and counter China’s influence by helping key allies in the region build 5G networks. As Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Shaheen has also long advocated for serious investments in scientific and technology innovation to protect the U.S.’s global leadership and national security against China.
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