Still No Consensus on Core Defense Special Act Issues; Cross-Party Negotiation to Resume Next Week
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu convened a cross-party negotiation on the defense special procurement bill. While minor articles were agreed upon, core issues like procurement items and budget amounts remain stalled.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 18:50
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 19:02 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 19:11 (9 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Wang Cheng-chung, Taipei, 23rd) Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu convened a cross-party negotiation on the Defense Special Act draft today. The ruling and opposition parties reached a consensus on 'shallow water' (minor) provisions, such as budget execution rules and the implementation period. However, there is still no consensus on key provisions like procurement items and budget allocation amounts. Han Kuo-yu announced that another cross-party negotiation will be held on the afternoon of the 27th, hoping the party caucuses maintain communication.
The joint meeting of the Foreign and National Defense Committee and the Finance Committee previously passed the initial review of the Defense Special Act drafts proposed by the Executive Yuan, Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and Kuomintang (KMT), but failed to reach a consensus on key articles, reserving them for cross-party negotiation.
Following a cross-party negotiation held on the 15th, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu once again convened the party caucuses at 2 PM today to discuss the Defense Special Act draft. After nearly three hours of discussion on parts of the draft, the caucuses reached preliminary agreements on minor provisions. However, no consensus was reached on crucial articles involving procurement items and the allocated budget amounts.
Han Kuo-yu announced at around 4:55 PM that the matter had been thoroughly communicated, leaving four articles reserved, which include procurement items and allocated amounts. It is evident the caucuses cannot reach an agreement on these two issues. He hopes the caucuses continue communicating and scheduled the next cross-party negotiation for 2:30 PM on the 27th, urging caucus leaders to attend as planned.
Regarding the name of the Defense Special Act draft, the caucuses agreed during the previous negotiation to adopt the name proposed by the TPP caucus: 'Special Act for Procurement under the Plan to Defend National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities.'
Today's negotiation also approved the budget execution rules specified in the act. The caucuses agreed that the execution of the special budget should be audited by the auditing agency according to law, and before the competent authority reallocates funds per the Budget Act, it must obtain the Legislative Yuan's consent. It also stipulates that the Ministry of National Defense must track and evaluate the execution of projects under this act and submit a special progress and performance report to the Legislative Yuan every session.
The Ministry of National Defense and its superior agencies must legally execute and implement oversight mechanisms to ensure the defense budget is genuinely invested in building combat capabilities. Before the end of May in the year following the expiration of this act, the Ministry of National Defense must complete a summary report on its implementation effectiveness and submit it to the Legislative Yuan.
Additionally, the caucuses today approved the implementation period for the Defense Special Act and its budget, which will be effective from the date of promulgation until December 31, 2033. If any part of the act and its budget remains unexecuted upon expiration, it may be extended with the consent of the Legislative Yuan if necessary. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150423
(CNA Reporter Wang Cheng-chung, Taipei, 23rd) Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu convened a cross-party negotiation on the Defense Special Act draft today. The ruling and opposition parties reached a consensus on 'shallow water' (minor) provisions, such as budget execution rules and the implementation period. However, there is still no consensus on key provisions like procurement items and budget allocation amounts. Han Kuo-yu announced that another cross-party negotiation will be held on the afternoon of the 27th, hoping the party caucuses maintain communication.
The joint meeting of the Foreign and National Defense Committee and the Finance Committee previously passed the initial review of the Defense Special Act drafts proposed by the Executive Yuan, Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and Kuomintang (KMT), but failed to reach a consensus on key articles, reserving them for cross-party negotiation.
Following a cross-party negotiation held on the 15th, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu once again convened the party caucuses at 2 PM today to discuss the Defense Special Act draft. After nearly three hours of discussion on parts of the draft, the caucuses reached preliminary agreements on minor provisions. However, no consensus was reached on crucial articles involving procurement items and the allocated budget amounts.
Han Kuo-yu announced at around 4:55 PM that the matter had been thoroughly communicated, leaving four articles reserved, which include procurement items and allocated amounts. It is evident the caucuses cannot reach an agreement on these two issues. He hopes the caucuses continue communicating and scheduled the next cross-party negotiation for 2:30 PM on the 27th, urging caucus leaders to attend as planned.
Regarding the name of the Defense Special Act draft, the caucuses agreed during the previous negotiation to adopt the name proposed by the TPP caucus: 'Special Act for Procurement under the Plan to Defend National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities.'
Today's negotiation also approved the budget execution rules specified in the act. The caucuses agreed that the execution of the special budget should be audited by the auditing agency according to law, and before the competent authority reallocates funds per the Budget Act, it must obtain the Legislative Yuan's consent. It also stipulates that the Ministry of National Defense must track and evaluate the execution of projects under this act and submit a special progress and performance report to the Legislative Yuan every session.
The Ministry of National Defense and its superior agencies must legally execute and implement oversight mechanisms to ensure the defense budget is genuinely invested in building combat capabilities. Before the end of May in the year following the expiration of this act, the Ministry of National Defense must complete a summary report on its implementation effectiveness and submit it to the Legislative Yuan.
Additionally, the caucuses today approved the implementation period for the Defense Special Act and its budget, which will be effective from the date of promulgation until December 31, 2033. If any part of the act and its budget remains unexecuted upon expiration, it may be extended with the consent of the Legislative Yuan if necessary. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150423