Tancredo Introduces Bill Calling for Congressional Approval of AIT Director

Tom Tancredo's office sent around notice that he has introduced a bill calling for Congress to oversee the appointment of the AIT director:

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Tancredo Seeks to Put Top U.S. Envoy to Taiwan on Par With Other Ambassadors
Bill Would Require Senate Confirmation of American Institute in Taiwan Director


( WASHINGTON , D.C. ) – U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado) today introduced legislation that would require Senate confirmation of the top U.S. envoy to Taiwan . The bill would require future Directors of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) to be appointed with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Unlike the heads of other U.S. missions abroad, the AIT Director is not confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

“Given the strategic importance of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and U.S. obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act, Congress ought to play a role in deciding who represents U.S. interests in Taiwan ,” said Tancredo.

If the bill is enacted, future AIT Directors would undergo the same rigorous confirmation process as other U.S. Ambassadors to foreign nations.

“The Taiwan Strait is a dangerous place,” said Tancredo, “So why are we applying more Congressional scrutiny to who heads up our embassy in a tourist destination like Barbados than we do to who is heading our mission in Taiwan?”

Dana Rohrabacher (R-California) joined Tancredo in introducing the bill.

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Hmmm....out of deference to Tancredo for his support of Taiwan, no sarcastic remark shall escape my lips. I will only say that I dream of the day when Congress actually exercises its oversight powers on the Chief Executive and his foreign policy.

[Taiwan]