In response to a joint letter from U.S. lawmakers, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) has said that defense-related special budget bills will receive top priority once the session begins. Republican Senator Pete Ricketts, who drafted the letter, followed up this Tuesday.

A bipartisan group of 37 U.S. senators and representatives had sent the letter to Taiwan’s Legislature expressing support for the special defense budget and stressing that Taiwan must fulfill its budget commitments and demonstrate its determination to defend its democracy. It was signed by Ricketts, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, Republican Representative Young Kim, and other pro-Taiwan legislators, and addressed to Han, KMT Chairperson Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), TPP Chairperson Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), and DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘).

The joint letter stated that in the face of a worsening threat environment, both the United States and Taiwan must take further steps to deter Chinese aggression. Lawmakers warned that if Taiwan’s defense spending does not substantially increase to the level reflected in President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) special budget proposal, progress will be insufficient. 

Ricketts told Central News Agency (CNA) via email that he is encouraged by the speaker’s response to the letter and indicated that Washington is working to resolve the backlog of weapons deliveries. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.