In the absence of presidential leadership, Congress must act now to strengthen communications between U.S. and Taiwan military forces, rebuild deterrence and head off a new crisis in the Taiwan Strait,

Because of my service in the congressional leadership for the last 10 years,

superb leadership at a critical time.

Leadership is the day to day communications about the real issues.

One of my first achievements in Congress was enactment of the Hudson River Habitat Restoration Act back in 1996.

The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 was the subject of extraordinary care and consultation between the Congress and the president. For President Bush to simply throw that away and ... effectively declare Taiwan a treaty ally without consultation with Congress, without a lengthy speech to explain to the American people the reason for undertaking this solemn and grave commitment and without any real consultation with allies ... is deeply troubling.