McCarthy eyes trip to Taiwan

The Pentagon is in the early stages of planning for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to travel to Taiwan later this year as House Republicans focus on China, according to a report Monday.

The trip to the democratic island nation could come as soon as spring, Punchbowl News reported, as the Pentagon works out security logistics and the expected response from Beijing, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed reunification, including by force.

China ratcheted up military drills near the island last August when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) led a congressional delegation to the island.

Earlier this month, the House voted to create a new China select committee that will focus on any threats to America’s economy posed by the Chinese Communist Party.

The Biden administration, which initially opposed Pelosi’s traveling to Taiwan because of the diplomatic issues it created, kept its distance from her visit.

However, the White House reportedly has become more engaged with the potential trip by McCarthy.