U.S. Senate Committee Backs $852 Bln Defense Bill with $1 Bln for Ukraine

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a sweeping $852 billion defense spending bill for fiscal year 2026, including $1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, despite the absence of such funding in the Trump administration’s original budget proposal.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Reuters.

The bipartisan vote, 26 in favor, 3 opposed, highlights strong cross-party consensus in Congress to sustain U.S. support for Ukraine.

The proposed budget exceeds President Trump’s request by $21.7 billion, or 2.6%, reflecting lawmakers’ belief that current geopolitical challenges require greater investment in defense. 

“Not only the prior administration, but this administration as well, have underestimated the level of challenge that we have,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.

Of the $1 billion allocated for Ukraine, $800 million is earmarked for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), while another $225 million is designated for the Baltic Security Initiative, a portion of which will indirectly bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

The fiscal year in the United States begins on October 1 and ends on September 30 the following year. 

For the defense budget to take effect without disrupting government operations, it must be passed by both chambers of Congress before the start of the fiscal year.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for debate and a final vote. If approved, it will reaffirm the U.S. legislature’s continued support for Ukraine

As The Gaze reported earlier, the United States is calling on the United Nations Security Council to support a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine by August 8.