SE Nebraska News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) addressed the Senate on September 4, 2025, urging lawmakers to reinforce the United States’ collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners, specifically Taiwan. Fischer’s remarks followed her recent official trip to U.S. military installations in Hawaii and Guam, as well as meetings with leaders in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Palau.

Fischer highlighted that maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific is critical for U.S. security and that of its allies. She emphasized the importance of integrated defense strategies and strengthening partnerships to support stability in the region.

In her speech, Fischer stated: “I recently returned from an official trip to the Indo-Pacific, where I visited U.S. military installations in Hawaii and Guam, and met with leaders in Palau, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

That trip underscored a simple reality: we are living in a time of global unrest, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific is vital to the security of both the United States and our partners.

On the final leg of the trip, I met with Taiwanese officials and saw firsthand how we can strengthen U.S. posture and deepen collaboration in the region. I was also struck by the warmth, hospitality, and resilience of the Taiwanese people.

For decades, our partnership with Taiwan has been anchored in democracy, freedom, and economic opportunity. Today, it is equally defined by innovation and resilience. A stronger Taiwan means a stronger United States — and vice versa. That is why both our nations must continue working deliberately and decisively to deepen cooperation. The payoff is clear: greater prosperity for our people and greater stability for the world.

Taiwan has made remarkable progress in bolstering its self-defense in recent years. We should seize every opportunity to build on that momentum. At the same time, we must recognize the challenge before us.

The Chinese Communist Party continues to threaten, pressure, and attempt to isolate Taiwan. These actions are unacceptable. The people of Taiwan have earned their place as a respected and indispensable part of the global economy.

Here in the Senate, we understand the gravity of the challenge. The world is more dangerous today than at any point since World War II. This moment demands seriousness and resolve.

Taiwan is the test case for U.S. credibility in upholding a free and open rules-based order. If Taiwan were to fall under coercion, the consequences would reverberate far beyond the Taiwan Strait — shaking the confidence of our allies and emboldening adversaries worldwide.

That is why integrated deterrence is essential. The world is safer when America leads. And it is not just Taiwan that feels pressure from China.

The Philippines, one of America’s treaty allies, is locked in a contentious territorial dispute with China. Beijing wrongly claims islands and shoals that have been internationally recognized as belonging to the Philippines. Yet Manila is standing its ground with remarkable courage, despite relentless Chinese pressure — and that deserves our deepest commendation.

Our alliance with the Philippines is rooted in shared sacrifice. During World War II, U.S. and Filipino prisoners of war endured the horrors of the Bataan Death March, and together we fought to liberate the islands from Japanese occupation. General MacArthur’s famous return symbolized the unbreakable bond between our peoples. That history of fighting shoulder to shoulder lives on today in our Mutual Defense Treaty and in “Exercise Balikatan,” the largest annual exercise we conduct together. “Balikatan” means shoulder to shoulder — and that is exactly how we continue to stand.

Just as the Philippines is a vital ally, so too is Palau a uniquely valued partner. As a Compact of Free Association state, our relationship with Palau goes beyond a traditional alliance. It is both economic and military: Palauan citizens can live, work, and study in the United States while U.S forces have access to Palauan territory under an ironclad guarantee of American defense.

That partnership is strengthened by Palau's ongoing diplomatic ties with Taiwan despite pressure from Beijing—a relationship considered significant due to Palau's vast exclusive economic zone despite its small population size—and by allowing continued access for U.S forces under defense agreements between both countries.

Guam was also described as central to America's Indo-Pacific strategy because it hosts over 150000 US citizens; Fischer pointed out that partnerships across Guam,Taiwan,the Philippines,and Palau form "a network of deterrence" intended for peacekeeping purposes throughout this strategically important region.

She warned about potential consequences if conflict erupted over Taiwan—including disruptions affecting advanced semiconductor production critical for electronics industries worldwide,and broader risks such as global trade route interruptions or regional escalation involving cyber-attacks or military action.She argued these threats require increased investment from Washington,Taipei,and other regional stakeholders into collective deterrence measures through initiatives like those included within next year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Fischer concluded,“The partnership between United States &Taiwan advances security ,prosperity,&freedom...If we continue investing into deterrence,I am confident this partnership will endure generations.”