TPP defense act placed on its priority list for new legislative session

Taipei, Feb. 4 (CNA) The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) on Wednesday announced its 21 "priority" legislative bills, including its own version of a national defense special act, which caps arms spending at NT$400 billion (US$12.66 billion) through 2033, and requires that funding be allotted on a yearly basis.

The opposition party's caucus "absolutely supports" strengthening the military's self-defense and joint operational capabilities through arms procurement, Wang An-hsiang (王安祥), a deputy caucus whip, said at a press conference unveiling 21 priority bills for the new legislative session, which will formally begin on Feb. 24.

Wang added, however, that the party opposes opaque practices that "evade oversight" and "grant blanket authorizations," citing these concerns as reasons it has stalled the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government's proposed NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget for 2026-2033.

The TPP's defense act, titled "special act on national security and asymmetric warfare procurement," is awaiting committee review, after the party, backed by the larger opposition Kuomintang (KMT), pushed the bill forward last Friday before the Legislature began its winter recess.

At the same plenary session, the opposition again blocked the government's defense spending proposal, extending the stalemate that has existed since November last year.

In response to the standoff over Taiwan's military budget, U.S. officials and lawmakers have expressed concerns recently, with some viewing the opposition-backed reduction in defense spending as a blow to Taiwan's self-defense credibility.

The TPP's proposal funds 82 HIMARS multiple rocket systems and 60 M109A7 self-propelled howitzers (including 4,080 rounds of precision munitions). It also covers anti-armor loitering munitions, 70 Javelin launchers with 1,050 missiles, and 24 TOW 2B launchers with 1,545 missiles -- all of which have received U.S. government approval.

However, the proposal omits several preapproved U.S. sales for tactical software and fleet maintenance, while also scrapping funding for local arms industry partnership, the procurement of 200,000 drones, and the construction of the multilayered air defense system, known as T-dome, included in the Cabinet's special budget.

When asked about U.S. concerns on Wednesday in a separate event, former TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) suggested amending the draft to state that future weapons sales approved by the U.S. State Department could also be reviewed and passed by the Legislative Yuan, thereby "making the legislation more comprehensive."

Ko dismissed the DPP's criticism against his party by asserting that "Taiwan is not the DPP's monopoly," a phrase suggesting that the DPP should not act as though it holds the exclusive right to propose legislation or define what national interest is.

"The U.S. is not the DPP's excuse. Whatever issues arise, we will communicate directly with Washington -- so stop using the U.S. to threaten us. We will also remain in close contact with the AIT (American Institute in Taiwan)," Ko said.

The TPP's 21 priority bills span multiple policy areas, including a proposal to set up "Taiwan Future Accounts," government-funded investment accounts that grow until a child turns 18, to provide a starting fund for his or her future, and to combat the falling birth rate.