United States Senate gave The $886 billion Defense budget was given the green light this WednesdayThis includes pay increases for the military as well as aid funds for Ukraine and Israel. The project, approved with 87 votes in favor and 13 against, allows for a $28 billion increase in the Pentagon’s budget compared to fiscal 2023.
“At a time of enormous challenges to global security, passing the defense authorization bill is more important than ever,” Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement after the vote. said.
The budget will now be put to a vote in the House of RepresentativesLegislators tried to add measures regarding abortion and treatments for transgender people to the text in the middle of the year.
The law, called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), provides a 5.2% pay increase for the military as well as necessary funding for different Pentagon programs. It also includes $11.5 billion to combat Chinese influence in the South China Sea and $800 million for Ukraine.
Schumer added that the NDAA “will ensure that the United States stands firm against Russia, stands firm against the Chinese Communist Party, and ensures that the U.S. military always remains cutting-edge around the world.”
The approval of the law followed long negotiations between both Houses. Republican pressure to add two controversial amendments Preventing the Department of Defense from covering travel expenses for abortions and gender-affirming hormonal and surgical treatments.
The agreed funds added $45 billion to the amount originally requested by US President Democrat Joe Biden to offset the effects of inflation and accelerate the implementation of the National Defense Strategy.