A bipartisan delegation from the United States is visiting Taiwan to pressure lawmakers over the stalled special defense budget. Led by U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen and Committee Member John Curtis, the delegation will speak with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and KMT legislators, hoping to accelerate progress on Taiwan's special defense budget.

In addition to Shaheen and Curtis, the delegation includes Democratic Committee on Foreign Relations Member Jacky Rosen and Republican Senator Thom Tillis. The group visited Lai on Monday morning in the Presidential Office, where members spoke in support of the budget and strengthening defense overall. 

Shaheen said that the United States is concerned about mounting pressure from Beijing, including military activity around Taiwan. She said that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are crucial for global economic development, and that the United States recognizes the steps Taiwan has already taken to strengthen its defense resilience. 

Curtis spoke directly on the budget, personally endorsing the bill and warning legislators that his American colleagues were closely watching its progress. Curtis said, "I’d like to personally endorse the special defense budget and tell you that, back in Washington, D.C., my colleagues are watching -- this is important. We want to make sure that as we invest in this part of the world, you are also investing, and that we're in this together. So this, passing the special defense budget, is very important to me and to my colleagues back in Washington, D.C.”

His speech was supported by Tillis, who reiterated that “defense and your peace can only come through strength.”

During the meeting, President Lai noted that the NT$1.25 trillion (nearly US$40 billion) proposed special budget was currently under review, adding his voice to that of the delegation in calling on legislators to pass the budget.

Last week, legislators debated the bill, with less expensive alternatives proposed by the KMT and TPP without reaching a consensus. Now the proposals head back into cross-party negotiations. 

The budget delay is already causing problems, notably Taiwan missing the initial payment deadline for a weapons deal with the United States, which came and went this Monday, resulting in the first-ever deferred payment. Defense officials, however, say that the pressure is likely to mount with more payment deadlines approaching, and the funds necessary to afford them tied up in the special defense budget.

The delegation will remain in Taiwan for just two days, according to the Foreign Ministry, and will also meet with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).