U.S. Congress and Foreign Policy

A bipartisan group of 34 U.S. lawmakers led by Sens. Pete Ricketts and Chris Coons and Reps. Young Kim and Ami Bera sent a formal letter urging Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to "meet the moment" by fully funding a robust multiyear special defense budget, warning that opposition‑led gridlock that has delayed or trimmed President Lai Ching‑te’s asymmetric‑warfare package could undermine deterrence as China stages invasion‑style encirclement and blockade drills. The letter also acknowledges a "massive backlog" in U.S. weapons deliveries and pledges to press for faster shipments while urging Taiwan to increase and lock in its own defense spending, even as Taipei says U.S.-Taiwan ties remain "rock solid."