US Defense Bill Takes Aim at China’s Growing Influence

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is seen in its hanger at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland , U.S. on Oct. 28, 2015. Gary Cameron/Reuters

WASHINGTON—The Senate Armed Services Committee unveiled a draft bill on May 23 that targets China on several fronts, from stemming the erosion of the U.S. military advantage against Beijing to countering the growing Chinese influence around the world.

The $750-billion proposal would also authorize the U.S. military to buy more Lockheed Martin F-35 jets and fully fund a program to modernize the U.S. nuclear weapon arsenal.