Taiwan Defense Bill Talks Stall Again Over Budget Dispute

The legislative session on the special defense spending bill once again hit a stalemate, with the ruling and opposition parties unable to agree on the budget ceiling. This marks the third failed negotiation, with the next session scheduled for May 6th. The KMT and TPP continue to demand more specific details on procurement items, citing concerns about "blank authorization" in the government's proposal. Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng expressed frustration, stating that the 1.25 trillion NT dollar budget has been explained multiple times in classified briefings. DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming criticized the opposition's stance, questioning the purpose of numerous classified briefings if they still insist on "blank authorization." He emphasized the urgency of passing the bill to secure national defense, warning that future budgets would be more difficult to manage. The DPP also highlighted potential conflicts with local development, such as the drone industry in Taichung, if certain procurement items are cut. The KMT's internal divisions were also apparent, with legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin proposing an 800 billion NT dollar budget, which was countered by KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi, who insisted on the original proposal. The TPP also indicated that budget adjustments would require internal party discussions.

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The classified special reports have been presented so many times, are we just doing this for show?