Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., a Senate Armed Services Committee member, joined Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., in introducing the Taiwan Partnership Act, a bipartisan bill to establish a partnership between the U.S. National Guard and Taiwanese defense forces to ensure a well-integrated defense force capable of fast deployment during a crisis.

“It is crucial for the United States to work with allies like Taiwan to help bolster their security and military readiness, especially given the increased risk China poses to the region’s stability,” said Cramer. “Collaboration between Taiwan and our National Guard would help their forces ensure Taiwan is properly prepared to defend itself.”

The Taiwan Partnership Act would establish the sense of Congress that the United States should continue to support the development of capable, ready, and modern defense forces for Taiwan to maintain its self-defense by:

– Developing a partnership program between the U.S. National Guard and Taiwan;

– Increasing exchanges between senior defense officials and general officers of the U.S. and Taiwan to improve interoperability, improve Taiwan’s reserve forces, and expand humanitarian and disaster relief cooperation;

– Expanding Taiwan’s capability to conduct security activities, including traditional combatant commands, cooperation with the National Guard, and multilateral activities; and

– Requiring an annual report by the Secretary of Defense on the cooperation between the National Guard and Taiwan.

Sens. Cramer, Cornyn, and Duckworth are joined on the bill by 10 other senators. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The National Guard is a unique element of the U.S. military that serves both community and country, according to its website. The Guard responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. Any state governor or the president of the United States can call on the Guard in a moment’s notice. Guard soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part time. Guard soldiers’ primary area of operation is their home state.