TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A new session of the Legislative Yuan will begin Tuesday, with the special defense budget at the top of the agenda.

DPP Legislative Caucus Director Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) said the budget has been identified as a priority by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), per CNA. Chung warned that the US letter of offer for arms procurement will expire on March 15 and urged lawmakers to move quickly to approve the measure.

KMT Legislative Caucus Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Yu-chen (許宇甄) said the party will outline its legislative priorities on Tuesday. KMT Spokesperson and Legislator Niu Hsu-ting (牛煦庭) said the party will also discuss its version of the special defense budget proposal.

DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) said delays in approving the LOA could hinder Taiwan’s military buildup, per Liberty Times. He accused the opposition coalition of stalling the legislative process to give Chinese leader Xi Jinping bargaining chips in a potential meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Shen said procurement delays could deter defense manufacturers if they perceive Taiwan’s domestic political disputes as a risk to policy stability. He also warned that the DPP could lose its numerical advantage on the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.

Meanwhile, TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said the party’s version of the special defense budget includes all necessary items, totaling NT$400 billion (US$12.7 billion), per China Times.

Huang said the party would revise its proposal if the US announces additional arms sales that meet Taiwan’s defense needs. He also reiterated opposition concerns over delays in US arms deliveries, which totaled NT$688 billion as of December.

In addition to the special defense budget, lawmakers are expected to review the 2026 central government budget, the Taiwan-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, a memorandum of understanding on US investment, the Cabinet’s proposed amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, and confirmations for members of the Central Election Commission, per Awakening News Network.