Texas Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D) celebrated his bipartisan legislation, Pressure Regulatory Organizations To End Chinese Threats to Taiwan Act (PROTECT Taiwan Act), passing the House.
“Breaking. My bipartisan bill with @RepFrankLucas passed the House today. We must ensure Beijing is held accountable with financial consequences should they threaten our ally, Taiwan,” tweeted Rep. Gonzalez.
📰Breaking📰
My bipartisan bill with @RepFrankLucas passed the House today. We must ensure Beijing is held accountable with financial consequences should they threaten our ally, Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/eCJ3N5abip
— Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (@RepGonzalez) January 12, 2024
Oklahoma Representative Frank Lucas (R) released a statement regarding the PROTECT Taiwan Act.
“Even in today’s partisan gridlock, one thing we can all agree on is that the Chinese Communist Party poses the greatest economic, political, and national security threat to the United States. While the world watched Russia’s rogue invasion on Ukraine in horror, it is our responsibility to ensure China does not attempt to emulate such blatant aggression on Taiwan,” said Congressman Lucas.
The bill is extremely timely as it was passed very close to Taiwan’s recent presidential election. The new president of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, has been viewed as a “troublemaker” by Chinese President Xi Jinping because of his views on Taiwanese independence.
The Oklahoma representative continued, “That’s why Congress must take the necessary steps to ensure Beijing would be subject to significant financial and economic consequences should it threaten our allies in Taiwan. The PROTECT Taiwan Act will do exactly that.”
The Texas lawmaker has been busy recently with other legislation as well. Recently, Rep. Gonzalez sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Denis R. McDonough, highlighting the need for a VA hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.
"I write to shed light on a pervasive issue that continues to affect over 20,000 veterans in the 34th Congressional District of Texas and thousands more throughout the Rio Grande Valley. As you know, the Rio Grande Valley lacks a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital."
Texas has the largest veteran population in the nation, as well as a large active-duty population. Additionally, the state leads the nation in PACT Act claims.
"Furthermore, the Rio Grande Valley is a community on the rise. Our population consisting of over 1.3 million is expected to double by 2045, which will further strain the VA healthcare system in South Texas as more servicemembers retire and veterans relocate," reads the letter.
