Taipei: Visiting U.S. Representative Young Kim on Friday urged Taiwan's Legislature to swiftly pass a bill funding the procurement of domestically produced drones needed to help defend the country against security threats posed by China.According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan's Cabinet has submitted a NT$210 billion (US$6.5 billion) bill to fund the procurement of domestically developed reconnaissance and attack drones, as well as unmanned surface vessels. The bill is currently under review by the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan alongside 13 competing proposals.Speaking to journalists after meeting President Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office, Kim, who is leading a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation to Taipei, noted that her visit came shortly after China and Russia had concluded joint naval patrols in the Pacific Ocean, which she suggested were intended to "intimidate the free people of the Indo-Pacific."While acknowledging the steps Taiwan has taken to bolster its defenses against threats from China, as well as the bipartisan support for Taiwan in the U.S. Congress, Kim emphasized that both Taiwan and the United States "must do more and do it quickly."Kim stressed the importance of drones in modern warfare, expressing hope that the Legislative Yuan would act quickly to bolster Taiwan's drone capabilities. She also highlighted an investment plan by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in Arizona, which she said indicates a deepening Taiwan-U.S. partnership.President Lai echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Taiwan's pivotal stage in developing its drone industry, drawing on its strengths in semiconductors and technology. He noted that Taiwan has developed capabilities in drone research, testing, and production to meet defense needs.The National Chung-Shan Institute for Science and Technology, funded by the government, has passed cybersecurity assessments for drone production, showing its ability to protect key technologies. Lai expressed eagerness to work with the United States to build secure drone supply chains that do not rely on Chinese components.Lai also thanked Kim, chair of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, for her leadership in introducing Taiwan-friendly legislation in the U.S. Congress, which he said has helped deepen bilateral ties.The U.S. delegation, consisting of Kim, Democratic Representative Suhas Subramanyam, and Republican Representatives Michael Cloud and Randy Feenstra, met with Defense Minister Wellington Koo to discuss Taiwan-U.S. cooperation and security issues in the Indo-Pacific.