House Speaker Pelosi Invites Senior Lawmakers to Join Taiwan Trip: NBC Report

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has invited at least three lawmakers to join her planned trip to Taiwan, according to some contacts familiar with the matter, NBC News reported.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in an interview at the U.S. Capitol that he and Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) are on the list.

His remarks appeared to confirm Pelosi’s trip to the self-governing island, which the Chinese regime considers part of its territory, to be taken by force if necessary.

Both Pelosi’s office and the White House have declined to confirm the visit, citing security concerns.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee speaks with The Epoch Times at the Republican retreat in Ponte Vedra, Fla., on March 24, 2022. (The Epoch Times)

Leslie Shedd, McCaul’s spokesperson informed the news outlet the congressman cannot make the trip because of a pre-arranged personal engagement, but that he supports Pelosi’s intention.

“Any member that wants to go, should,” McCaul said, noting that “it shows political deterrence to President Xi.”

“But she should also pay attention to the military, if it’s going to cause a blowback and escalate things,” the congressman warned.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) told NBC she also was invited to join the proposed trip, but had to decline.

Focus of Biden-Xi call

Pelosi’s proposed trip could loom over the call between President Joe Biden and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) head Xi Jinping scheduled for July 28, with Taiwan expected to be a key agenda item. The U.S.-Sino top leader call will be the fifth of its kind.

CCP leadership threatened “forceful measures” against the United States and Taiwan should Pelosi visit. Following the remarks, Biden publicly stated that Pelosi should not go to Taiwan as

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