The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved $500M in additional military aid for Ukraine while taking steps to protect key elements of U.S. airpower.
In a bipartisan 26-1 vote on July 9, the committee backed expanding the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), increasing its funding from $300 million in 2025 to $500 million through fiscal year 2028.
The move signals a continued U.S. commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression, despite growing skepticism among some lawmakers and voters over endless foreign spending.
This fresh injection of funding is earmarked for training, intelligence sharing, and equipment deliveries to Ukraine’s military. The Senate’s version goes further than the House’s NDAA draft, which holds Ukraine assistance at $300 million and reflects a deeper divide among Republicans over America’s role in the conflict.
President Trump has pushed for a more restrained, America-first foreign policy, calling for allies to step up instead of relying on U.S. taxpayer funds.
Aside from Ukraine, the NDAA draft also pushes back on the Biden-era Pentagon’s push to retire the Air Force’s fleet of A-10 Warthog aircraft—long praised for their durability and effectiveness in close air support.
The Senate’s version of the