An Analysis Of The Congressional Informal Parliamentarians In The US Decision - Making

Informal member organizations have existed in both Houses since the foundingof the United States. After1970’s reform of congress, these organizations increased innumber and category promptly and have been playing an increasingly important rolein information collection and communication, as well as legislative advising andsupervision.These have been some member groups of “Pro-Taiwan” congressmen, varyingfrom different period of time: from “China Bloc” before the establishment of Sino-USdiplomatic relations, to “Taiwan Bloc” in the wake of cold war and “Taiwan Caucus”established in2002, all of which act as means for Representatives and Senators’involvement in policy decision of U.S.-Taiwan relation, as well as indispensable roleof promoting “substantial relation” between U.S. and Taiwan.Personal information of members of “Taiwan Caucus” of113thcongress hasbeen analyzed and found that, members are more likely came from the southern partof America and states with higher Asian population percentage. Furthermore, thesemembers are senior, conservative, some of which served important posts in bothHouses. Case study of Rep. Ed. Royce discovered their two-faced policy andutilitarian to the constituency of some “Pro-Taiwan” congressmen.Most of Taiwan related resolutions of112th-113thcongress has been introducedby members of “Taiwan caucus”, which functions including promoting concerns ofTaiwan in both Houses, alleviating U.S.-Taiwan relationship, enhancing arm sales toTaiwan, and expanding “international space” for Taiwan.The author finally suggested on strengthening congress diplomacy anddiminishing negative impact of “Taiwan caucus” given the analysis in this paper.