- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

US Increases Spending on Overseas Military Operations by 66% - Senator

© Sputnik / Igor Mikhalev / Go to the mediabankEfforts by Congressional opponents of US President Barack Obama’s Cuba policy will likely be unsuccessful: experts
Efforts by Congressional opponents of US President Barack Obama’s Cuba policy will likely be unsuccessful: experts - Sputnik International
Subscribe
US Senator Kelly Ayotte said that the United States increased its overseas defense contingency budget by nearly two-thirds to finance modernization programs and missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States increased its overseas defense contingency budget by nearly two-thirds to finance modernization programs and missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, US Senator Kelly Ayotte said in a press release.

“The Graham-Ayotte amendment increases spending in the Overseas Contingency Operations Account by $38 billion, up to $96 billion, from the original allocation of $58 billion,” the release, issued on Friday, stated.

Pentagon - Sputnik International
Pentagon Officials Advocate US Congressional Republican Defense Budget
Ayotte explained that the amendment provides necessary funding to protect US forces deployed overseas in Afghanistan, and combating the Islamic State and other terrorist groups.

“At a time when the threats to our nation are growing, this amendment provides necessary funding to protect our servicemen and women and keep our country safe,” Ayotte said.

US Congress has additional work to do in the coming months to replace the Budget Control Act's limits and replenish defense funding, Ayotte added.

The US defense budget is subject to a base budget spending cap under the 2011 Budget Control Act, also known as sequestration.

The US Defense Department has requested approximately $585 billion in defense spending, which is higher than the amount of spending authorized under the Budget Control Act.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала