The budget, which is $8 billion higher than the amount requested by President Donald Trump, includes, among others: 4% increase in salaries for soldiers. The act also contains numerous provisions regarding foreign policy that are contrary to the line of the current administration.
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One of the key points of the document is a provision preventing the Pentagon from reducing the number of American troops in Europe below 76,000. for longer than 45 days unless appropriate reports are provided. According to the content of the act, these reports are to include a justification for the decision, its compliance with US national security interests and confirmation of consultations with NATO allies. Currently, there are over 80,000 stationed on the European continent. American soldiers, including about 10,000 in Poland.
These provisions are a reaction to the Pentagon's earlier decision to withdraw a rotational infantry brigade from Romania, which was criticized by both Republicans and Democrats. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from the Democratic Party, in an interview with PAP, described this year's bill as a response to the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, which assumes the withdrawal of US forces from Europe.
Support for Ukraine and the Baltic states
The budget includes $400 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) program, under which the United States purchases weapons for Ukraine. The bill also includes funds to support efforts to recover Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia. Additionally, $175 million was allocated for the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI), a permanent Pentagon program aimed at strengthening the defense of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
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Unlike previous editions of the NDAA, the current document does not mention the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI) program, which in the past financed the increased presence of American troops in Europe and investments in infrastructure. A year earlier, almost USD 3 billion was allocated for this purpose.
Investments in Poland
The act lists eight investments in bases where American troops are stationed in Poland. This includes: about the training ground in Drawsko Pomorskie, the ground forces base in Powidz and the air bases in Łask and Wrocław. The total value of these projects is USD 504 million.
