The US agreed to authorize an additional $800 million for Ukraine

U.S. lawmakers agreed to provide Ukraine with at least $800 million in additional security assistance next year.

This is stated in the draft of the $858 billion defense policy bill (NDAA), Reuters writes.

The bill includes $2.7 billion to boost munitions production capacity while temporarily waiving some restrictions on munitions contracts to support Ukraine.

The bill authorizes more funds to develop hypersonic weapons, close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii and purchase existing weapons systems, including Lockheed Martin Corp’s F-35 fighter jets and ships made by General Dynamics.

In addition, the bill also strengthens the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, with $11.5 billion in new investments. It also authorizes the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act of 2022, legislation to increase security cooperation with Taiwan with up to $10 billion in spending over five years.

The compromise version of the NDAA is the result of months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives. The overall bill authorizes $45 billion more in defense spending than Biden requested.

The fiscal 2023 NDAA is expected to pass the US Senate and House of Representatives this month. It will then be sent to the White House to be signed into law by President Biden.

However, the NDAA bill is not a final spending document. Such bills only provide for financing programs.

The U.S. Congress must pass appropriations bills to give the government the legal authority to spend federal money. Leaders of the US Congress have not yet agreed on an appropriations bill for next year.