The U.S. Senate approves the record $858 billion defence budget

Senators supported the Act for National Protection Authority, the annual bill with which Pentagon policies are determined, with the overwhelming majority: 83 for, 11 against. The bill received both parties' support.

Of the senators who voted against this budget, there are some liberals complaining about the army's growing budget and some conservatives who want stronger control over expenditures, reports the agency “Reuters”.

After the legislation was adopted in the House of Representatives last week, it will now be submitted to the White House, where President Biden is expected to sign it soon to officially make it law.

The National Protection Authority Act allows for spending $858 billion on military needs. This includes a 4.6 - percent wage increase for soldiers, financing for arms purchase, ships, and planes, as well as supporting Taiwan when the island is facing aggression from China, and supporting Ukraine when the European State is fighting against Russian occupation.

“This is the most important bill that we make every year” - said Senator James Inffee, member of the Republican Party and the Senate Commission for Armed Services.

The bill includes at least 800 million dollars in additional security assistance for Ukraine next year, as well as some provisions to empower Taiwan in times of tensions with China, including billions of dollars in security assistance and accelerated review of weapons supply.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry expressed its gratitude for this support, saying it plans measures that will help military readiness and “to ensure freedom, openness and stability of the Indo-Vejor region”.

The bill also allocates more funds for the development of hypersonic weapons and the purchase of F-35-type planes as well as ships produced by the company “General Dinamics”, Nationale writes.

The Act for National Defence Authorisation is not the final word for expenses. License bills create programmes, but Congress must approve budgetary allocations to give the government legal authority to spend federal means.

A bill on government financing by September 30th 2023 when the fiscal year ends is expected to be approved by Congress next week.