The media quoted the White House as noting that the budget meets the Trump administration's national security priorities. Once signed by the president, the law will come into force, which will allow the implementation of planned programs to begin.
AP notes that although the administration of US President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have tried to focus on security in South and Central America, the adopted defense bill includes measures to strengthen the defense capabilities of European allies.
In particular, for 2026–2027, $400 million per year will be allocated for the production of weapons for transfer to Ukraine.
The document also supports the Baltic Security Initiative and funding to strengthen the defense capabilities of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. In addition, it limits the Pentagon's ability to reduce the number of American troops in Europe to less than 76 thousand people and preserves the position of the supreme commander of allied forces in Europe for an American general.
At the same time, the bill secures the stationing of 28,500 troops in South Korea, guarantees full funding for the Taiwan Security Initiative at $1 billion, and provides for joint programs with the Taiwanese armed forces to develop drone systems and anti-drone technologies.
By voting: 77 out of 100 senators supported the bill, 20 were against it. Those opposed included two Republicans and 18 Democrats, the AP reported.
Context
On December 5, US President Donald Trump proposed a new version of National Security, which included shifting the focus of US security to South and Central America. The proposal has drawn criticism from experts who say the approach could weaken the U.S. position in Europe and pose a risk to allies on the continent. Congressional representatives immediately began developing alternative options.
On December 10, the US House of Representatives passed a compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 (NDAA), providing almost $1 trillion for Pentagon policy and support for allies, including Ukraine and European countries.
