US Senate passes $925 billion defense budget for 2026
The US Senate has passed the 2026 defense budget, which includes increasing security aid to Ukraine to $500 million.
According to TASS news agency on October 10, on October 9, the US Senate approved $925 billion for military spending in fiscal year 2026 (starting October 1), including $500 million in aid to Ukraine.
The bill was supported by 77 lawmakers, while only 20 opposed. The bill needs at least 60 votes to pass in the US Senate.
Earlier, the Senate Armed Services Committee announced that this defense spending bill provides for "extending the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through 2028 and increasing funding for the program by $500 million." With USAI, the Pentagon will contract with manufacturers, instead of providing equipment and resources directly from the US arsenal.
In September, the US House of Representatives passed its own version of a military spending bill for fiscal year 2026, amounting to nearly $900 billion, including $400 million in aid to Ukraine.
The final version of the document will be reviewed by a special committee made up of representatives from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. It will then be sent to US President Donald Trump for his signature.
Members of Congress say the U.S. military is operating at full capacity, even though they may not receive pay next week if the government shutdown does not end soon or if Congress does not pass a separate bill to pay for the armed forces.
During previous US government shutdowns, troops have mostly been paid in full or worked without pay until the government reopened. However, this year's tense situation could lead to more changes.
