US Senate Democrats Introduced a New Security Funding Package of Approximately $111 Billion
Democrats in the US Senate have presented a new package of national security measures totaling around $111 billion. Among other things, the funds are earmarked for assistance to Ukraine and Israel, as well as measures to protect the southern border.
This information is reported by The Hill.
It is noted that the bill includes the allocation of over $15 billion to support Ukraine, in particular for military training, intelligence exchange, and "increased presence in the European Command area of responsibility."
In addition, the proposed funding package includes about $10.6 billion in aid to Israel, with four billion directed towards missile defense and an additional $1.2 billion "to accelerate development of the Iron Beam missile defense system."
The largest portion of the package, $43.6 billion, is intended for a direct increase in US production capacities in the defense and ammunition sector, as well as funding for the American industrial base for submarines and expanding their reserves.
In addition to the proposed Democratic package, around $1.4 billion is allocated for the payment of "immigration judges' salaries, including lawyers, legal consultants, lawyer assistants, court administrators, translators, and other support staff."
An additional $5 billion is designated for emergency funding for US Customs and Border Protection, and around $2.3 billion for emergency funding for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
It is expected that the bill will be brought to the first procedural vote today, December 6.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that the US will be responsible for Ukraine's defeat in Russia's genocidal war if Congress does not approve the funding.
"I've talked to members of Congress, my colleagues have. I think they understand this, that this is a dire situation and we can hold ourselves responsible for Ukraine's defeat if we don't manage to get this funding to Ukraine that's needed," said Secretary Yellen.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to the US, Oksana Markarova, noted that the package includes significant military, direct budgetary, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.