Washington, June 30: The US Senate has agreed to begin debate on the new $740.5 billion defense spending bill for next year.
The Senate voted 89-4 on Monday to open up debate on the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
The Senate’s defense spending bill would provide $69 billion for contingency operations abroad.
In addition, the bill would authorize $1.4 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative in order to counter China’s activities in the Indo-Pacific region.
The defense spending bill would also provide $250 million in security assistance for Ukraine.
The legislation would also authorize $9.1 billion to the procure 95 F-35 fighter jets.
The bill would also address concerns of developing hypersonic missiles to compete with Russia and China.
The House Armed Services Committee will convene on Wednesday for a mark-up hearing and to offer new amendments for its version of the 2021 defense spending bill.
(agencies)
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