Bipartisan US bill seeks $2.5 billion for Philippines defense

On the eve of a trilateral summit between the United States, Japan and the Philippines, two prominent U.S. senators on Wednesday introduced a bipartisan bill to provide Manila with $2.5 billion to boost its defenses against Chinese pressure. The bill, put forward by Republican Bill Hagerty, a former ambassador to Japan, and Democrat Tim Kaine, authorizes $500 million a year in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to the Philippines over the five fiscal years to 2029. The Philippines

Related Keywords

Japan ,Manila ,Philippines ,South China Sea ,Brunei General ,Brunei ,China ,Washington ,United States ,Chinese ,Japanese ,Joe Biden ,Don Durfee ,Sonali Paul ,David Brunnstrom ,Rodrigo Duterte ,Tim Kaine ,Ferdinand Marcos ,Reuters ,Republican Bill Hagerty ,Democrat Tim Kaine ,Foreign Military Financing ,West Philippines Sea ,Second Thomas ,Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos ,Japanese Prime Minister Kishida ,South China ,