Washington D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) appeared live on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo to discuss his recent visit with the Taiwanese President, Chinese aggression, the NDAA floor debate, the threat from Iran, Turkey’s receipt of the Russian S-400, and more. Key highlights below:

Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures”

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On U.S. support for Taiwan in combating an aggressive China…

“Our support for Taiwan really frustrates the Chinese. The Chinese are getting very aggressive in Hong Kong, as you just heard. They are also getting very aggressive in Taiwan. I talked to the Madam President. She thinks they are going to interfere in her elections…

“…We have to support Taiwan. They stand for freedom and democracy in the region. And that’s precisely why Chairman Engel and I approved the military sales to Taiwan of $2.2 billion, so Taiwan can protect themselves from China.

“…We’re going to arm Taiwan, so [President Tsai Ing-wen] can defend herself from what’s become a very aggressive Chinese Communist Party right on their doorstep.”

 

On last week’s House floor debate pushing back on dangerous amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would tie the hands of our military and undercut important legal authorities to combat terrorism…

“I think it is a very dangerous, reckless policy by the Democrats to repeal the 2001 AUMF with no replacement to it.

“I’m all for arguing about updating the 2001 AUMF after 9/11, but this would illegalize all global counterterrorism operations in the world that we’re conducting.

“And then they want to repeal the 2002 with Iraq. And, of course, we know ISIS is still a threat in Iraq.”

 

On Turkey’s receipt of the Russian S-400…

“Very problematic. You have a NATO ally buying Russian military equipment. I sat down with the foreign minister of Turkey and the Ambassador, and warned them, just as Secretary Pompeo did, that you can’t have it both ways.

“… And what endangers it even more so, we offered them the Patriot missile battery system. They chose the Russian instead. This actually blocks the F-35 sales, because the S-400 actually tracks our F-35s and would put our F-35 planes in jeopardy if Turkey goes forward, which it appears, Maria, that they are doing.

“… I think Erdogan is making a serious mistake. I would urge him and his administration to reject Russian military sales and buy American.”

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