Lai once more urges legislature to pass defense billBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAPresident William Lai (賴清德) yesterday urged the Legislative Yuan to pass the general budget, saying that the ongoing funding freeze has inflicted severe harm to the nation’s development. President William, left, poses for a photograph with Democratic Progressive Party spokeswoman Han Ying, the party’s candidate for Yilan mayor, during a party meeting in Taipei. Photo courtesy of the Democratic Progressive PartyThese connected issues require integrated solutions that the government is trying to provide in the budget plan, Lai said. Lawmakers across the political divide should put their country and the well-being of Taiwanese before their party and speedily pass the government general budget, Lai said. During the meeting, several KMT lawmakers reportedly warned that keeping the general budget plan stalled could hurt the party’s prospects in November’s local elections.

Source: Taipei Times April 01, 2026 16:13 UTC