TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A US House of Representatives Committee on Thursday approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, including NT$14.77 billion (US$500 million) in military assistance for Taiwan.

The act was passed in a vote of 36 against 27 at the House Committee on Appropriations, per CNA. The overall act budgeted US$831.5 billion for a wide range of items, from new weapon systems to military support for allies.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency will manage the US$500 million for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative effective until Sept. 30, 2027. The secretary of defense could use the funds at the discretion of the secretary of state to offer assistance to Taiwan.

The aid includes new defensive weapons, related services, and training courses. The defense secretary is obliged to deliver a report about the usage of the funds to the congressional defense committees each quarter.

The funds should be used to improve Taiwan’s defense, equipment, and deterrence abilities. The defense secretary should also submit a plan on how to use the funds to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 60 days after the act goes into force.