Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined the Six Assurances to Taiwan Act, a bipartisan bill led by Senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) that would formally codify the Six Assurances as foundational U.S. policy toward Taiwan, reinforce congressional oversight, and prevent the president from making any unilateral change of America’s longstanding position on Taiwan without legislative review.
The Six Assurances, which the Reagan administration first delivered to Taiwan in 1982, are key foreign policy commitments that have underpinned the U.S.-Taiwan relationship for nearly half a century. This bill gives those assurances the full force of law for the first time.
“Taiwan is one of the world’s strongest democracies and a key strategic partner. Its resilience and security are essential to U.S. national security,” said Bennet. “This bill would strengthen deterrence by codifying the Six Assurances with the full weight of law – at a moment when China continues to escalate its military, economic, and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan.”
The Six Assurances, which both Republican and Democratic administrations have repeatedly reaffirmed since 1982, are as follows:
- The United States has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
- The United States has not agreed to consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan.
- The United States will not play a mediation role between Taiwan and China.
- The United States has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act.
- The United States has not altered its position on the issue of Taiwan sovereignty.
- The United States will not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China.
The Six Assurances to Taiwan Act strengthens these principles by making them U.S. law, as well as enhancing congressional notification, review, and oversight. Specifically, the bill would:
- Require any U.S. administration to notify and provide a full justification to Congress before taking action to alter arms sales, revise longstanding policy, or pressure Taiwan into negotiations;
- Give Congress up to 60 days to review and potentially block such action through a joint resolution of disapproval; and
- Reaffirm that maintaining the Six Assurances is in the national, economic, and security interest of the United States and contributes to peace in the Indo-Pacific.
In addition to Bennet, Curtis, and Merkley, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Todd Young (R-Ind.) co-sponsor this bill.
Bennet has long advocated for stronger U.S.-Taiwan ties and to enhance regional deterrence.
In May 2026, ahead of President Donald Trump’s summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, Bennet and Curtis led 10 bipartisan colleagues on a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act and underscoring their belief that there should be no unilateral changes to this policy nor any new U.S. declaratory policy on Taiwan. Bennet, along with Senators Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), also leads legislation to enhance U.S-Taiwan space cooperation – which passed out of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in March 2026 as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2026.
In December 2025, Bennet passed into law legislation requiring the Secretary of Defense to develop and implement a strategy to strengthen U.S.-led multilateral efforts to deter China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific, including in the Taiwan Strait. In the same month, the President also signed into law legislation Bennet co-sponsored requiring regular State Department reviews of and updated guidelines on U.S. engagement with Taiwan. Earlier in 2025, the Senate passed legislation Bennet co-sponsors to streamline U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
Bennet has also introduced legislation to strengthen Taiwan’s international standing; support Taiwan’s partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean; and deter China’s aggression against Taiwan by identifying targets for sanctions the United States could rapidly impose if China moves against Taiwan – all of which have passed out of committee. Additionally, Bennet cosponsors legislation to provide expedited double-tax relief on U.S.-Taiwan cross-border investment.
Bennet played a leading role in securing the April 2024 passage of the national security supplemental package, which included $8.13 billion for Indo-Pacific partners including Taiwan.
The text of the bill is available HERE.
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