A bipartisan group of U.S. senators urged Taiwan's parliament to approve a stalled $40 billion special defense budget during a two-day visit to Taipei that began on Monday. Led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat from New Hampshire, and Republican Senator John Curtis from Utah, the delegation included Senators Thom Tillis from North Carolina and Jacky Rosen from Nevada.

The lawmakers met with Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te and held a media briefing at the presidential office. Senator Curtis endorsed the budget proposal, stating that his colleagues in Washington are closely watching the debate and emphasizing that the United States and Taiwan must invest together in regional security. "We're here to enforce that message and demonstrate to the people here in Taiwan that we are together a very important part of the safety and the unity around this world," Curtis said. Shaheen expressed concern over Beijing's increased military activities around Taiwan, which she said raise the risk of miscalculation.

President Lai's administration proposed the NT$1.25 trillion (about $40 billion) special defense budget last year to fund weapons development, infrastructure, and other enhancements over eight years. The plan faces opposition in Taiwan's legislature, where the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party hold a majority. Critics argue for greater transparency and have offered smaller alternatives, such as the KMT's NT$380 billion proposal. The delegation also planned meetings with KMT lawmakers to encourage cross-party support.

The visit coincides with looming deadlines for payments on U.S. arms packages, including HIMARS rocket systems and anti-tank missiles. Taiwan has approved four U.S. arms deals worth $9 billion recently, with another $14 billion package in preparation, though delivery delays have drawn complaints from Taipei. Taiwan's Deputy Defense Minister Hsu Szu-chien hoped for faster U.S. arms deliveries to aid budget passage.

China's foreign ministry protested the trip, with spokesperson Mao Ning reiterating opposition to U.S.-Taiwan exchanges and calling on Washington to uphold stability in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing has ramped up military pressure, conducting large-scale war games in December following an $11 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.

The U.S. remains Taiwan's primary arms supplier and international backer despite lacking formal diplomatic ties. The Trump administration has pushed allies to increase defense spending, aligning with the senators' message of shared commitment to deterrence amid escalating tensions. The delegation toured the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Taiwan's key defense research facility, underscoring bilateral cooperation.