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Washington, Jan. 31 (CNA) Two US congressmen have urged their colleagues to support the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act when the House of Representatives considers it on Tuesday, stressing that this important legislation is "a necessary, bipartisan approach to fulfilling our promise to Taiwan" regarding its self-defense capability.

Rep. Peter Deutsch (D-FL) and Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) pointed out in their Jan. 28 letter that according to a Pentagon report submitted to Congress earlier this year, China is engaged in a missile buildup across the strait from Taiwan and is pressuring the US to cease defensive weaponry sales to the island, pointing out that "both of these factors represent a substantial threat to the balance of power, and therefore the stability of the area."

"We strongly believe that the United States must remain steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act -- in which the US promised to provide Taiwan with the means to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability as the key method of maintaining a balance of power in the region," said the Democratic congressmen.

The congressmen added that "this bill would reiterate the fundamental truth of democracy -- that any determination of the ultimate status of Taiwan must have the express consent of the people of Taiwan. And finally, the bill would require the President to submit an annual report to Congress on Taiwan's defense needs."

Therefore, Reps. Deutsch and Andrews urged their colleagues to join them in supporting the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, which was passed overwhelmingly with a 32-6 vote by the House International Relations Committee on Oct. 26 last year and currently has 82 cosponsors in the 435-member House.

Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) first introduced his version of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act to the Senate on March 24, 1999. It presently has 17 cosponsors.

It is believed that the Clinton administration is striving hard to prevent the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act from becoming law by dissuading the Senate from passing the bill, since it seems that the House of Representatives will likely pass the legislation during its floor consideration scheduled for Tuesday. (By Nelson Chung)