TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A bipartisan delegation from the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee arrived in Taiwan early Monday to press lawmakers to pass the Cabinet’s proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget.

Led by Democratic ranking member Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator John Curtis, the group departed Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on Sunday evening, per CNA. They landed at Taipei Songshan Airport at 12:20 a.m., where Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi (陳明祺) and American Institute in Taiwan Deputy Director Karin Lang received them.

Curtis told Chen he had lived in Taiwan for a year in 1985, mostly in Taichung and Nantou, and had returned four years ago, remarking on how much had changed. When asked if he spoke Mandarin, he replied, “A little bit.”

According to Financial Times, the delegation will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and KMT lawmakers to press for the passage of the special defense budget. On Friday, Shaheen told the newspaper that the delegation's visit to Taiwan is vital “to both affirm the support and talk about why it’s important … to see Taiwan taking these strong actions in defense of themselves.”

She added that Legislative Yuan approval would demonstrate that “Taiwan is equally committed to an independent future as members of Congress.” Curtis told Financial Times that the timing of the visit is crucial because the legislature's review of Lai's proposal is “so critical."

Some backers in Washington worry that US President Donald Trump could be less inclined to support Taiwan if the bill fails to pass. “I’m concerned about his (Trump’s) commitment to reinforcing the United States’ support for Taiwan and not undermining their sovereignty,” Shaheen told the newspaper. 

The delegation also includes Democratic Committee on Foreign Relations Member Jacky Rosen and Republican Senator Thom Tillis.