U.S. Defense budget consultations started, border walls, Iran, space forces are at issue

[Washington 19th Reuters]-The US Defense Senate officially started this year's Defense Authority Act (NDAA) talks on the 19th. NDAA is a law that Parliament goes through every year to determine the framework of the defense budget, and the scale is $ 700 billion.

In this year's talks, President Trump's plan to build a wall along the border with Mexico, the creation of the space army, and the president's authority to open war with Iran are expected to be the biggest issues.

NDAA has been established every year since 1961. Because it is an “essential” bill, it not only serves as a means of broad policy measures, but also serves as a basis for decisions regarding modernization and purchase of ships and aircraft from the level of military salary.

NDAA's passage through parliament in fiscal year 2020 is expected to be difficult due to the intense conflict between President Trump and the Democratic Party of Congress and some Republicans.

This year is the first year for the Trump administration to see the parliament distorted. The president, who is obsessed with the construction of the border walls, has already expressed his intention to use a veto on the proposed approval of the House of Representatives, where the Democratic Party is majority.

The Houses of Senate have already approved their own NDAA, and the meeting started on the 19th.

The House Military Committee chairman Adam Smith (Democratic Party) said he has yet to conclude on important issues such as wall construction costs.

Opinions are divided on the amendment that would prevent President Trump from taking military action against Iran without parliamentary approval. The issue became more important this week as the US and some of its allies criticized Iran for attacks on the Saudi oil facility.

The Democratic Party is also opposed to the space army initiative launched by President Trump. It has been pointed out that this plan can cost billions of dollars.

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