By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – A range of U.S. efforts were included in Tuesday’s massive defense bill, which includes $300 million to support Ukraine’s military and a statement supporting Taiwanese defense.

Fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (or NDAA) authorizes $770 billion for military spending. It includes provisions like a 2.7% increase in pay for troops, reforms to the military justice system to combat sexual abuse, and efforts to address geopolitical risks.

The NDAA is a major piece of legislation that is passed with bipartisan support. It is also closely monitored by a large number of industries and other interest groups because it is the only one that is law each year, and it covers such a diverse range of issues.

After two hours of virtual talks between U.S. President Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine and other matters, this year’s bill came out.

In addition to $300 million for Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (which provides support for Ukraine’s armed forces), the bill also includes strong NATO support. The European Defense Initiative is $4 billion and the Baltic Security Cooperation Initiative is $150 million.

China: A statement of congressional support is included in the bill to defend Taiwan. It also includes a prohibition on the Department of Defense procuring goods made from forced labor from China’s Xinjiang.

America has called China’s treatment in Xinjiang of the Uyghur Muslim minority is genocide. Lawmakers have advocated for a ban on products made from Uyghur forced labor. China claims it has never abused minorities, and dismissed the charge of genocide as part of slanderous statements about Xinjiang.