TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Lawmakers agreed Tuesday to send the Cabinet’s draft special defense bill to committee review on the March 6 plenary agenda alongside a competing TPP proposal.

The draft, proposed by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), will be referred to the Foreign and National Defense Committee and the Finance Committee for joint review along with the TPP’s version, per CNA. No motions for reconsideration will be filed.

On Feb. 12, 34 US senators and representatives sent a letter to Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and others urging support for funding to address current challenges and demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to defend itself. Han and Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) responded in a joint statement on Feb. 16, pledging to facilitate cross-party communication and give the special defense bill top priority once the session began.

The fifth session of the 11th Legislative Yuan opened on Tuesday, and Han announced a recess for negotiations at the start of the 10 a.m. plenary meeting. Party caucuses agreed to include the special defense bill, along with related special bills not yet submitted, on the March 6 agenda.

Lai also met on Monday with the heads of the five branches of government. Han said afterward that he invited Lai to brief lawmakers at the Legislative Yuan on the nation’s current situation, public concerns, and issues the president hopes the new legislative session will address, adding that Lai “gladly accepted” the invitation and is willing to deliver a state of the nation address.

Party caucuses also agreed to hold consultations at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday regarding arrangements for the president’s briefing.