No Consensus Reached on National Defense Special Act Draft Bill in Cross-Party Consultation, Legislature to Vote as Early as 8th
Cross-party consultations on the National Defense Special Act draft bill, led by Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu, failed to reach a consensus on procurement items and budget amounts. The bill, having passed its one-month deliberation freeze, is expected to proceed to a vote as early as May 8th.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 19:26
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wang Cheng-chung, Taipei, 6th) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu today convened the fourth cross-party consultation on the National Defense Special Act draft bill, but the party caucuses still failed to reach a consensus on key provisions such as procurement items and budget allocation. Han Kuo-yu announced that since no consensus has been reached by the party caucuses on this case, it will be handled according to regulations. As the National Defense Special Act draft bill has passed its one-month deliberation freeze, it can be processed by the Legislative Yuan as early as the 8th.
Earlier, the joint meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee and Finance Committee initially passed the Executive Yuan, Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and Kuomintang (KMT) versions of the National Defense Special Act draft bill. However, no consensus was reached on key provisions, which were sent to cross-party consultation. The Executive Yuan's version allocated a budget of NT$1.25 trillion, the TPP's version allocated NT$400 billion, and the KMT's version was NT$380 billion + N.
Han Kuo-yu had convened three cross-party consultations on the National Defense Special Act draft bill. The party caucuses had reached a consensus on less controversial provisions, such as the title of the act, budget execution regulations, and implementation period, but failed to agree on key provisions like procurement items and budget allocation.
This afternoon, Han Kuo-yu convened the fourth cross-party consultation on the National Defense Special Act draft bill. However, the party caucuses still could not reach a consensus on the budget allocation. Han Kuo-yu even announced a 10-minute break during the consultation to allow the party caucuses to communicate privately. Nevertheless, the party caucuses ultimately could not reach a unified consensus on the budget allocation.
TPP caucus whip Chen Ching-lung stated that the TPP's stance on strengthening national defense remains unchanged, but the military budget reported by the Ministry of National Defense to the legislature could differ by NT$60 billion within a month, yet the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) consistently insists on a NT$1.25 trillion ceiling that cannot be moved. He said the opposition parties support the defense budget, but some parts, such as commercial purchases, can be allocated in the annual public budget, whereas the Ministry of National Defense seems to only consider special budgets.
DPP caucus whip Tsai Chi-chang pointed out that the Ministry of National Defense has repeatedly explained why these basic equipment are needed to protect Taiwan. He believes that Taiwan needs to develop its defense industry, and one aspect is that many precision processing manufacturers in central and southern Taiwan can participate in the defense industry. If the NT$1.25 trillion is directly cut to NT$800 billion, he believes it would lose the possibility for Taiwan to develop its defense industry.
Tsai Chi-chang stated that what can be allocated in the annual budget has already been allocated by the Ministry of National Defense, and such a large amount cannot be placed in the annual budget, so it is handled through a special budget. Protecting Taiwan's security should be a joint effort regardless of party affiliation, and he hopes all political parties will jointly support the NT$1.25 trillion.
KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi pointed out that the positions of the ruling and opposition parties are consistent on strengthening national defense and defending Taiwan, and the KMT also supports a strong national defense. He said that arms purchases from the U.S. are responsible purchases, guaranteed by the U.S. government, which the KMT strongly supports, and the opposition parties have repeatedly emphasized the need for "Letters of Offer and Acceptance" (LOAs) announced by the U.S. side.
Fu Kun-chi stated that to this day, the DPP and the Ministry of National Defense have not clearly told the public why every defense budget uses such an urgent procedure, requesting the Legislative Yuan to authorize emergency procurement by the Ministry of National Defense, but after procurement, there are still NT$700 billion worth of weapons that have not been delivered. He believes the Ministry of National Defense and the DPP should explain and clarify this to the public.
Seeing that the party caucuses still could not reach a consensus, Han Kuo-yu announced that after four consultations, which have been full of disputes, the party caucus leaders have done their best, and Ministry of National Defense officials have also worked hard, but the party caucuses still could not reach a consensus, so it will be handled according to regulations, and the meeting was adjourned. (Edited by Lin Ke-lun, Lin Hsing-meng) 1150506
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(Central News Agency reporter Wang Cheng-chung, Taipei, 6th) Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu today convened the fourth cross-party consultation on the National Defense Special Act draft bill, but the party caucuses still failed to reach a consensus on key provisions such as procurement items and budget allocation. Han Kuo-yu announced that since no consensus has been reached by the party caucuses on this case, it will be handled according to regulations. As the National Defense Special Act draft bill has passed its one-month deliberation freeze, it can be processed by the Legislative Yuan as early as the 8th.
Earlier, the joint meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee and Finance Committee initially passed the Executive Yuan, Taiwan People's Party (TPP), and Kuomintang (KMT) versions of the National Defense Special Act draft bill. However, no consensus was reached on key provisions, which were sent to cross-party consultation. The Executive Yuan's version allocated a budget of NT$1.25 trillion, the TPP's version allocated NT$400 billion, and the KMT's version was NT$380 billion + N.
Han Kuo-yu had convened three cross-party consultations on the National Defense Special Act draft bill. The party caucuses had reached a consensus on less controversial provisions, such as the title of the act, budget execution regulations, and implementation period, but failed to agree on key provisions like procurement items and budget allocation.
This afternoon, Han Kuo-yu convened the fourth cross-party consultation on the National Defense Special Act draft bill. However, the party caucuses still could not reach a consensus on the budget allocation. Han Kuo-yu even announced a 10-minute break during the consultation to allow the party caucuses to communicate privately. Nevertheless, the party caucuses ultimately could not reach a unified consensus on the budget allocation.
TPP caucus whip Chen Ching-lung stated that the TPP's stance on strengthening national defense remains unchanged, but the military budget reported by the Ministry of National Defense to the legislature could differ by NT$60 billion within a month, yet the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) consistently insists on a NT$1.25 trillion ceiling that cannot be moved. He said the opposition parties support the defense budget, but some parts, such as commercial purchases, can be allocated in the annual public budget, whereas the Ministry of National Defense seems to only consider special budgets.
DPP caucus whip Tsai Chi-chang pointed out that the Ministry of National Defense has repeatedly explained why these basic equipment are needed to protect Taiwan. He believes that Taiwan needs to develop its defense industry, and one aspect is that many precision processing manufacturers in central and southern Taiwan can participate in the defense industry. If the NT$1.25 trillion is directly cut to NT$800 billion, he believes it would lose the possibility for Taiwan to develop its defense industry.
Tsai Chi-chang stated that what can be allocated in the annual budget has already been allocated by the Ministry of National Defense, and such a large amount cannot be placed in the annual budget, so it is handled through a special budget. Protecting Taiwan's security should be a joint effort regardless of party affiliation, and he hopes all political parties will jointly support the NT$1.25 trillion.
KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi pointed out that the positions of the ruling and opposition parties are consistent on strengthening national defense and defending Taiwan, and the KMT also supports a strong national defense. He said that arms purchases from the U.S. are responsible purchases, guaranteed by the U.S. government, which the KMT strongly supports, and the opposition parties have repeatedly emphasized the need for "Letters of Offer and Acceptance" (LOAs) announced by the U.S. side.
Fu Kun-chi stated that to this day, the DPP and the Ministry of National Defense have not clearly told the public why every defense budget uses such an urgent procedure, requesting the Legislative Yuan to authorize emergency procurement by the Ministry of National Defense, but after procurement, there are still NT$700 billion worth of weapons that have not been delivered. He believes the Ministry of National Defense and the DPP should explain and clarify this to the public.
Seeing that the party caucuses still could not reach a consensus, Han Kuo-yu announced that after four consultations, which have been full of disputes, the party caucus leaders have done their best, and Ministry of National Defense officials have also worked hard, but the party caucuses still could not reach a consensus, so it will be handled according to regulations, and the meeting was adjourned. (Edited by Lin Ke-lun, Lin Hsing-meng) 1150506
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