On Monday, December 28, incumbent US President Donald Trump has signed H.R. 133, an act making consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. The entire $2.3 trillion omnibus spending bill, which funds the government through September 2021, passed both chambers of Congress on Monday night with overwhelming support, as was reported by the press service of the White House.
A massive government funding provides for the allocation of $ 290 million to counter Russian influence and $ 300 million to counter China, as well as the allocation of assistance to Ukraine in the amount of $ 250 million.
The US budget provides a list of expenditures to counter Russia's influence and its attempts to spread the distrust in democratic institutions around the world. In addition, the funding activities that could contribute to Russia's strategic goals and threaten the interests of US national security are banned by this year's budget.
Washington also plans to allocate funds to support democracy development programs in Russia, Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia and will continue to ban the financing of any activities recognizing Russia's sovereignty over the occupied Ukrainian Crimea.
Due to the risk of cyber espionage and cyber threats, the Congress also limited the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Justice and NASA from purchasing various information systems in Russia, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Iran. According to the law, the CIA director must report to Congress within 100 days on the corruption and corrupt activities of big businessmen from Russia, as well as Eastern European countries, which, in particular, support the Russian government.
The US budget provides for $ 250 million in military assistance to Ukraine, which is provided as part of a defence assistance initiative and is considered an aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, the document will strengthen sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream-2 and Turkish Stream pipeline projects.
The $900 billion coronavirus relief portion of the bill includes $600 stimulus checks, extends two federal unemployment programs, provides an additional $300 in weekly jobless benefits, and adds another round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses. Also included are funding for vaccine distribution and schools, $25 billion in rental assistance, an extension of the eviction moratorium, $13 billion in food assistance, and $7 billion to increase access to broadband.
As was previously reported by ‘Apostrophe’, on Wednesday President Trump on Wednesday vetoed a sweeping defence bill that authorizes a topline of $740 billion in spending and outlines Pentagon policy. It also included military assistance to Ukraine and the expansion of sanctions against Russian Nord Stream-2.