USA, nuclear submarines to Australia? Senate says no

Republican lawmakers oppose the White House's current proposal, believing it does not have sufficient funds to allow Australia to complete its goal. According to Politico, Republicans on the US Senate Armed Services Committee are blocking approval to supply Australia with three nuclear submarines under the AUKUS deal, US newspaper Politico reported on Friday. These are nuclear-powered Virginia-class attack submarines, as agreed in the pact. According to Politico, Republicans argue that the White House should increase the Pentagon budget to support the US defense industry enough to meet the needs of the US Navy and Australia. They did not mention an amount to request, but said the $3 billion Australia plans to invest in the US undersea industrial base for this initiative will not be enough.