U.S. lawmakers press Taiwan’s parliament to unlock multiyear defense budget as Chinese drills intensify
A bipartisan bloc of 34 U.S. lawmakers is urging Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to fully fund a special multiyear defense package, warning that political gridlock in parliament could weaken deterrence just as China ramps up military activity around the island.
Letter urges Taipei to “meet the moment”
On Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 (ET), senators and representatives from both parties sent a letter to leaders of Taiwan’s legislature calling for a robust, sustained investment that would signal the island’s readiness to defend itself. The message backs a plan championed by President Lai Ching-te that emphasizes asymmetric capabilities—missiles, integrated air defenses, drones, maritime denial systems, and enhanced reserve training—intended to raise the costs of any invasion or blockade attempt.
The lawmakers stressed that the package should be multiyear, predictable, and large enough to close critical gaps. In their view, a fully funded special budget would “meet the moment” and convey resolve to both allies and adversaries.
Standoff in Taiwan’s parliament complicates funding
The defense blueprint has become entangled in a bruising domestic fight. Opposition parties, which hold a majority in parliament, have pushed for revisions and tighter oversight, arguing that checks on large off-book appropriations are essential. That stance has raised concerns the special budget could be only partially approved or delayed, leaving procurement and training timelines in limbo.
Legislative leaders face a core dilemma: how to balance accountability with speed as regional risks rise. Committees are weighing mechanisms that would preserve scrutiny over spending while avoiding procurement bottlenecks that could ripple across Taiwan’s defense-industrial base and international supply chains.
Chinese pressure escalates around the island
China’s People’s Liberation Army has conducted multiple large-scale drills in recent months, including exercises simulating encirclement and blockade operations. Chinese aircraft have routinely crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the island’s air defense identification zone, while naval activity has intensified in surrounding waters. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
Tensions sharpened further this week. On Thursday, Chinese officials denounced President Lai with unusually harsh language after he warned in an interview that, if Taiwan were annexed, nearby countries such as Japan and the Philippines could face increased danger. The war of words underscores how political signaling on both sides has fed a feedback loop of military posturing and diplomatic friction.
Washington’s weapons backlog acknowledged
The letter also reflects frustration in Washington over delays in U.S. weapons deliveries. Lawmakers acknowledged a significant backlog of approved arms sales to Taiwan and pressed for faster throughput. While the push in Taipei centers on domestic funding and oversight, the pace of external deliveries—ammunition, air defense interceptors, anti-ship systems, and critical spares—remains a parallel constraint on readiness.
Defense officials on both sides of the Pacific are exploring ways to accelerate timelines, including expanded production lines, prioritized contracting, and improved coordination on training pipelines so that newly acquired systems can be fielded and sustained without delay.
What to watch in the Legislative Yuan
As of Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 (ET), the special defense package remains under debate in parliament. Key questions ahead include whether party leaders can agree on phased appropriations that preserve transparency while guaranteeing multiyear predictability, and how swiftly committees can reconcile oversight demands with urgent procurement schedules. Any compromise that emerges will likely hinge on independent audits, progress benchmarks tied to readiness goals, and regular reporting to the chamber.
For Taipei’s leadership, the stakes are immediate: translating strategy into funded capability before current regional trends harden into a new normal. For lawmakers in Washington, the call to action in Taiwan’s parliament is paired with a parallel imperative at home—clearing backlogs and ensuring that promised systems arrive in time to matter.
