TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet said Thursday it will not use funds temporarily authorized by the legislature for 38 government programs.

The dispute centers on the legislature’s failure to begin reviewing the government’s 2026 budget proposal. Without an approved budget, several programs categorized as new plans under the Budget Act — including the commuter subsidy initiative Tpass — face funding shortages.

To prevent disruption to those programs, lawmakers earlier authorized the government to temporarily use NT$71.8 billion (US$2.25 billion) from the proposed 2026 budget to support Tpass and other programs, per CNA.

At a press conference, Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said the executive branch decided not to use the authorization because it could conflict with the Constitution and the Budget Act, per Tai Sounds. She said the temporary nature of the authorization creates uncertainty because the legislature could later amend the 2026 budget during its review process.

Lee said government policies must rely on budgets that have passed the legislature through the legally required three readings. She said the legislature had temporarily authorized NT$71.8 billion out of the NT$299.2 billion allocated for new plans in the 2026 budget proposal, while still delaying the formal review of the budget — a situation she called unprecedented.

A government official familiar with the matter said spending under temporary authorization could create legal risks. If the legislature ultimately approves a lower amount than what the executive branch had already spent, the government could violate the law, the official said.

TPP Legislative Caucus Convener Chen Ching-lung (陳清龍) criticized the Cabinet’s decision and also described the government’s 2026 budget proposal as illegal, per UDN. He said the executive branch had failed to incorporate legislation already passed by the legislature into the budget and had refused to countersign and implement certain laws, calling the situation unprecedented.

Chen added that the Budget Act allows the government to use funds for new programs if the legislature grants authorization. He said the wording of the temporary authorization makes clear that it was intended to support time-sensitive programs that affect people’s daily lives.

The delay in reviewing the 2026 budget has been linked to disputes over legislation concerning pay raises for military personnel and funding for retirement benefits for police officers, firefighters, and Coast Guard personnel.

KMT Legislative Caucus Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Yu-chen (許宇甄) said in January that the government’s budget proposal was illegal and accused the administration of neglecting the welfare of service members, per Liberty Times. She argued the government should not focus solely on weapons procurement but also address the welfare of military personnel.

Hsu said the opposition would begin reviewing the 2026 budget and a proposed special defense budget if President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) agrees to fund the pay increases and retirement benefits through supplemental budgets.