By KYIV. Dec 14 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The U.S. Senate has approved a defense bill worth $886 billion, which will create a new position of special inspector general who will monitor the use of military aid by Ukraine, Voice of America said.
“The document was supported by 87 senators, 13 voted against. He will be sent to the House of Representatives, where his opponents are more actively expressing their concerns. The bill provides $886 billion for national defense programs in the current fiscal year, which began October 1. This is approximately 3% more than the previous year,” according to the statement on the publication’s website on Thursday.
In addition, this bill provides for an increase in salaries for military personnel by 5.2%, as well as the creation of the position of a special inspector general for Ukraine, who will verify the use of military assistance from the United States for its intended purpose.
At the same time, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Republican Mike Rogers, who speaks in support of the document, said “there is no evidence of misuse of the weapons provided to Ukraine or any other assistance.”
In turn, The New York Times notes that “it [the program] would also direct hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance to Ukraine and Israel. The Ukraine and Israel programs authorized by the bill are distinct from a $111 billion spending bill to send additional weapons to those countries, among other expenditures, that is currently stalled in Congress.”
