Senators are looking to shore up Taiwan’s defenses amid heightened tensions with China, and are poised to green-light billions more in military aid to the island to make it happen.
Senators must still pass the defense bill in the coming weeks and hammer out a compromise versionthat can clear both chambers and earn President Joe Biden’s signature. If the extensive Taiwan provisions remain in a final bill, lawmakers will also need to enact funding that matches the authorized military aid.
The legislation doesn’t outline what specific weapons systems might be purchased, though it requires a joint State Department-Pentagon report on steps Taiwan has taken toward a military posture that will deter China. That includes efforts to acquire and field certain weapons, such as long-range precision fires, integrated air and missile defense systems, coastal defense and surveillance capabilities.that Menendez’s bills could muddy the water on U.S.
The revised defense bill also authorizes the U.S. to provide up to $1 billion worth of weapons and equipment from military inventories to Taiwan. The mechanism, known as presidential drawdown authority, has been used extensively to provide billions of dollars worth of weapons and gear to Ukraine to fend off Russia’s invasion.
Senators also included fresh authorities to help arm Ukraine as it continues to reclaim territory seized by Russia in the eighth month of the conflict.of Oklahoma, included their proposal to grant the Pentagon leeway to more quickly sign contracts to build up critical munitions and provide weapons to Kyiv as well as allies that are supporting the Ukrainians.
The proposal was pushed by the defense industry, chiefly the Aerospace Industries Association, as a method of coping with rising costs. The amendment doesn’t require the Pentagon to actually revisit any contracts, but could serve as a signal from industry and Congress that contracting officials should move on the matter.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Zealand farmers to face livestock emissions charges under new planThe New Zealand government on Tuesday confirmed plans to price agricultural long-lived gases and biogenic methane that mainly comes from cow and sheep burps separately, in a plan that farm groups have raised concerns about.
Read more »
The New Abortion Underground | The New Yorker Radio Hour | WNYC StudiosImmediately after Roe v. Wade fell earlier this year, a network of activists—mostly American expats between the ages of 30 and 80 who live in Mexico—began ferrying at-home abortion pills from across the border into states with severe anti-abortion laws.
Read more »
Knotted Root Has Big Plans for Its New Company and New Lager, Home'I want folks to pick up a can or a bottle, take a sip and think to themselves, 'feels like Home.''
Read more »
NYPD, New York lawmakers introduce new app to help protect transgender youthIn honor of National Coming Out Day, New York lawmakers and the NYPD announced a plan to protect transgender youth.
Read more »
New San Francisco nonprofit tackles homelessness with fresh new socksA newly established non-profit organization in San Francisco is assisting the city's unhoused residents by providing some of life's basic necessities.
Read more »
Yen Press Announces Ten New Titles at New York Comic ConICYMI: YenPress announce 10 new manga, manhwa and novel titles at their industry panel at NewYorkComicCon, including WhatsWrongwithSecretaryKim?, RebornasaVendingMachine, and a fanbook HorimiyaMemorialBookPage100
Read more »