US Senate Adopted Defense Budget 2012

19.12.2011 US Senate endorsed a draft budget proposed by Pentagon for 2012. As was reported on Dec 15 by Reuters, 85 senators voted for the document and 13 – against.

Being already approved by the House of Representatives on Dec 14, the draft budget is submitted for approval of the president Obama. During the consideration, a number of amendments were inserted in the document. In particular, the Administration stuck out for simplification of procedures for terror cases consideration. Besides, the approved draft bill imposes sanctions against financial structures working in the US and cooperating with the Central Bank of Iran.

Also, the document gives the Administration the right to freeze rendering of financial assistance to Pakistan. Islamabad may lose $700-mln aid unless it would effectively cooperate with the US in the war on terror.

According to the adopted document, $662.5 bln will be spent for military purposes in 2012. This is $5.2 bln less than in 2011. Out of this sum, $530 bln will be directly spent for needs of the US Department of Defense including military pay, arms procurement, and development of new weapon systems. Other $115.5 bln will be channeled for financing of overseas operations. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration will obtain $17 bln.

In March 2011, Pentagon requested financing to the amount of $670.6 bln. It was planned to spend part of that sum for development projects of new-generation long-range bomber NGB and strategic nuclear-powered submarine SSBN(X). Earlier on, the US Administration obliged the Pentagon to curtail expenditures on $100 bln in the next 10 years.