OREANDA-NEWS. The US Senate Committee on Armed Services voted in favour of a draft military budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins October 1. It provides for strategic competition with Russia and China. The US authorities also intend to make a report on Moscow’s support for racism.

The defense budget amounts 738 billion dollars, which is 3.1 % more than in 2019. Committee chief James Inhofe said that, based on the last two years, the military budget for 2020 provides for decisive measures to implement the National Defense Strategy and restore reliable military deterrence. According to the official, this is carried out in conditions of strategic competition with China and Russia.

The US authorities also want to draw up a report on Russia’s support for racist and ethnic violence-oriented extremist groups in Europe and the United States that create or increase threats to national security and risks to social stability and democratic institutions. This item is also included in the report on the budget.