Lawmakers within the U.S. Home of Representatives accredited laws Tuesday evening that would offer $768 billion for the nation’s army for the 2022 fiscal yr.
The invoice’s passage by a vote of 363-70 got here after weeks of unusually contentious debate over the annual protection spending funds because of plenty of points. The ultimate model, which was crafted in closed-door periods between leaders from each the Home and the U.S. Senate, contains the creation of an unbiased fee to analyze the US’ 20-year battle in Afghanistan, $300 million in help to the Ukrainian armed forces, and an announcement of assist for the protection of self-ruled Taiwan, which China has vowed to annex, even by drive. It additionally prohibits the Protection Division from shopping for any gadgets produced by Muslim Uyghurs who’re detained in China’s Xinjiang area.
The invoice additionally creates a brand new, unbiased particular victims prosecutor to deal with allegations of rape, sexual assault and different severe crimes, eradicating it from the authority of standard army commanders.
However a number of different gadgets had been stripped from the invoice earlier than the ultimate vote, together with a repeal of the measure handed in 2002 that approved army drive in opposition to Iraq, and a measure requiring ladies to register for the system that drafts People into the army throughout occasions of battle, which was strongly opposed by conservatives who’re against forcing ladies to combat within the nation’s wars.
The ultimate value of the invoice was $24 billion greater than what President Joe Biden had requested in his preliminary funds proposal. The measure now goes on to the Senate, which is predicted to offer its last approval someday this week after lawmakers there did not go its personal model.
Some data for this report got here from Reuters.
