The US Congress on Thursday (Dec 14) approved a staggering defence budget of $886 billion for 2024 as more than two-thirds of the US House of Representatives voted in favour of the defence policy bill. Congress also extended a controversial overseas electronic surveillance system widely used by US intelligence services.
The bill, which was adopted in the House of Representatives after a vote in the Senate on Wednesday, has also authorised policies such as aid for Ukraine. The mentioned military aid programme to Ukraine allows the gradual release of $300 million for Kyiv.
The amount of $300 million is still less than the separate $61 billion requested by the US and Ukrainian presidents from Congress by the end of the year. The massive package has not been approved and is being debated.
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Republicans have refused to approve assistance for Ukraine without Democrats agreeing to a significant toughening of immigration law.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his recent visits to the US, met with lawmakers at the Capitol to make his case for the funding.
Watch: Rift between Biden and Netanyahu widens over Gaza
Other details of the bill
It also provides billions of dollars to “enhance US deterrence and defence posture in the Indo-Pacific region” and counter China’s rising influence there.
The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, was backed by the House by 310 to 118, with strong support from Republicans and Democrats.
The number was more than the two-thirds majority required to pass the measure and send it to the White House for President Joe Biden to sign into law.
The NDAA has authorised everything from pay raises for troops – this year’s will be 5.2 per cent – to purchases of ships, ammunition and aircraft, which is separate from the appropriations bills that set government spending levels.
Notably, the bill did not include additional measures put forward by Republicans to restrict access to abortion for military personnel and prohibit the Pentagon from flying the LGBT+ pride flag on its bases.
(With inputs from agencies)
