The Military Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States have recently reached a consensus on the draft National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021. The bill will provide the necessary resources and related support for the construction of the U.S. military, so that the U.S. military can defend the security of the United States and its allies and even the so-called world while carrying out military tasks, laying the foundation for its realization of international hegemony.
Consensus between the two houses
According to U.S. media reports, the U.S. Senate Military Committee and the House Armed Services Committee released 23-page and 3-page abstracts of the draft bill on December 2, respectively. The draft stipulates that the defense expenditure of the United States in fiscal year 2021 is 740.5 billion US dollars, and authorizes $9.1 billion for the purchase of 95 F-35 fighters and $21.3 billion for the construction of seven new battleships for the U.S. Navy. The draft also plans to raise the salary of American soldiers by 3%. In addition to arms procurement and adjustment of military treatment, the draft also refers to the following.
First, strictly control the reduction of troops. In response to the disarmament plan previously announced by the Trump administration for U.S. troops in Germany and Afghanistan, the draft proposes strict restrictions. On the part of the U.S. military in Germany, the draft requires the Pentagon to submit a relevant impact report to Congress 120 days before the reduction of its garrison, and that part of the reduced troops will be deployed to Europe and the other part to the United States mainland. On the part of the U.S. military in Afghanistan, the draft proposes that Congress will not fund the reduction of U.S. troops in Afghanistan until the Pentagon assessment confirms that the withdrawal will not have a negative impact on counter-terrorism operations.
standardize the development of the space army
Second is to standardize the development of the space army. The draft requires the Pentagon to propose to Congress for the integration of the reserve force of the space force, and rejects the previous proposal of the House of Representatives to use the naval rank system for space officers and soldiers, and requires the U.S. Air Force to complete the development of the space military rank system.
Third, strengthen the response to the epidemic. In order to effectively respond to major outbreaks, the draft requires the U.S. military to ensure that active and reserve personnel have at least 30 days of emergency supplies of personal protective equipment. The draft also requires the Pentagon to formulate a major epidemic prevention and disposal plan and have the ability to quickly develop vaccines after the outbreak of the epidemic.
Fourth, strengthen strategic deterrence. The draft identifies the establishment of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which will provide $2.2 billion to upgrade the modernization of the U.S. military, the status and capabilities of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, and assist U.S. allies and partner countries in confront potential opponents in the region.
The president threatened to veto
According to the report, according to the regulations, the draft National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021, which the U.S. Senate and the Military Commission of the House of Representatives reach a consensus, must be re-voted by the Senate and the House of Representatives for approval before sending it to the President for signature. However, Trump recently said that unless the draft includes a measure to repeal federal laws protecting technology companies such as Facebook and Twitter, he will explicitly veto it.
The United States will strongly oppose this. Relevant staff said that the draft would be the result of months of consultation between the two houses of the United States and Trump administration officials, and if rejected by the president, it would have disastrous effects. Adam Smith, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Military Committee, said that if Trump is stupid enough to veto the draft, it is pure partisan politics. In addition, several Republicans, including Senate Republican Whip John Thune, also objected to Trump’s veto.
The martial arts deserve vigilance.
Through the previously released content and the latest details, it can be seen that the draft National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021 is another manifestation of the recent “feel of existence” of the U.S. military. For example, the content of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative conveys the message of “America wants to stay” to allies and potential opponents in the United States. Judging from the recent trends of the U.S. military, whether it is forward troop deployment or strengthening ally cooperation, it exposes its idea of being militariorious.
Trump’s threatening veto of the draft
As for Trump’s threatening veto of the draft, it is considered to leave a “smuff” for the next administration. With the countdown to his term, Trump first announced the dismissal of U.S. Defense Secretary Esper through “Twitter” on November 9, resulting in a “resignation wave” of 40% of senior positions in the U.S. Department of Defense. Then he announced his official withdrawal from the Open Sky Treaty on November 22, which attracted widespread public attention. Strong dissatisfaction with all parties has been criticized for having a negative impact on the international arms control and disarmament process.
Analysts pointed out that Trump’s veto was expected to be difficult to work, given that Trump’s veto was strongly opposed by lawmakers from both parties in the United States. And once the draft National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2021 is passed, it will further promote the U.S. military to strengthen cooperation with allies and maintain military activities on a global scale, thus adversely affecting the regional situation.
