In the US Congress, Democrats and Republicans have agreed on a new annual budget that also includes about $45 billion in new aid for Ukraine. The bill for fiscal year 2023 has a total size of 1.7 trillion dollars (1.6 trillion euros), the budget committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives announced on Tuesday. About half – $858 billion – is for defense.
Ukraine is supported with another $44.9 billion. This includes military aid, economic aid and humanitarian aid.
First package already in May
In May, Congress approved a $40 billion aid package for the country attacked by Russia.
Partial ban on TikTok
The 4,155-page bill also contains numerous other measures not directly related to the US budget. Government officials are not allowed to download the TikTok video app on their corporate mobile phones. The app from the Chinese group Bytedance, which is especially popular with young users, is seen by the US as a potential security risk.
electoral reform
Also included is electoral reform in response to efforts by President Donald Trump, who was voted out of office in 2020, to stay in power despite his electoral defeat. This clarifies that the U.S. Vice President, in his role as Senate President, only has a ceremonial role in the final certification of the result of a presidential election.
Trump had urged then-Vice President Mike Pence to block confirmation of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in Congress. Pence refused at the time. Hundreds of radical Trump supporters then stormed Congress on January 6, 2021, as the session was held to confirm Biden’s election victory. In the course of the legislative reform, the obstacles to contesting the election results of the individual states will also be erected by US senators and representatives.
The Senate and the House of Representatives will vote on the draft budget and the accompanying legal texts in the coming days. Last week, Congress passed an interim budget to avoid a budget freeze, also known as a “shutdown.” This interim budget ends on Friday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
