So much for spending cuts. The Republican-led Senate Budget Committee pushed through its $340B budget reconciliation proposal yesterday, with $150B in additional funding for defense, even as a separate proposal moved its way through the House.
In terms of defense, the proposal focuses on:
- Boosting security at the border and carrying out Trump’s massive deportation plan
- Modernizing the Navy and boosting shipbuilding
- Reforming the US nuclear posture
- Building Trump’s ambitious Iron Dome missile defense system.
The budget resolution points to the threats posed by China, Iran, and Russia as the reason behind the spending boost.
“To those who voted for and support real border security and a stronger defense in a troubled world, help is on the way,” Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham said in a statement.
Big spender: Senate Republicans overall are pushing for big bucks spent on defense and force modernization. Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS) is the legislator behind the FORGED Act, put forth in December, which calls for an overhaul of Pentagon acquisition and a $200B increase in defense spending. Graham himself is a China hawk and has long pushed for stronger US defense.
“The stated priorities [in the budget proposal]—strengthen maritime capabilities and the industrial base, build integrated air and missile defense, and modernize nuclear programs—are consistent with Senator Wicker’s plan and with a defense strategy that needs to be updated,” Elaine McCusker, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller), told Tectonic.
One beautiful bill: You might think it would be easy to pass a spending bill with near-total control of the government, but this reconciliation package has split House and Senate Republicans.
- In the House, Republicans led by Mike Johnson have put forth “one beautiful bill” that addresses all of Trump’s priorities, including tax cuts. It calls for $100B in increased defense spending.
- Graham is taking a two-bill approach (the first focused on the border and defense, the second on tax cuts), which he says will be easier to pass.
- Graham has framed the Senate bill as a backup if the House plan fails; Johnson said the House would not take up the Senate’s proposal.
Project 2025: The Senate budget blueprint also comes as the Senate voted to confirm Russel Vought, one of the architects of the ultra-conservative Project 2025 plan, as head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Guess what the Project 2025 goals for defense are:
- Acquisition reform
- Increased spending on and modernization of the Navy, Army, and Air Force
- A laser focus on competition with China
- Overhaul of the nuclear arsenal (amongst much else)
Sound familiar?
TL;DR: The Trump administration and Senate Republicans are pushing hard for force modernization, increased defense spending, and Pentagon reform. Plus, looks like DOGE is coming soon to a Pentagon near you.