US EditionPentagon Requests $961B Budget for ‘China Fight’ with Cuts to Civilian Workforce, Ukraine Assistance and Diversity Programs
- In late June, the Department of Defense requests an $848.3 billion discretionary FY2026 budget, marking a real-term cut due to inflation, as part of a broader $1.01 trillion defense plan.
- In June, the Pentagon requested $848.3 billion for FY2026, adopting a 'one budget, two bills' split-framework with $113.3 billion in mandatory reconciliation funding, originating from May's $1 trillion defense proposal.
- Data confirms nearly $30 billion in savings from civilian workforce cuts and program efficiencies, funding service member pay raises and housing improvements.
- Members of Congress criticize the delayed budget process, citing confusion, risk to key weapons programs, and a July 4 deadline for legislation.
- Beyond the immediate request, the flat FY2026 budget, if reconciliation fails, will force the Pentagon to reassess investments amid an era of strategic recalibration focused on deterring China.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Pentagon unveils $961B budget request: Fund for Golden Dome, missiles and drones, fewer F-35 jets
Pentagon's $961 billion budget shifts focus from fighter jets to drones and missiles, with $25 billion for Golden Dome defense and reduced F-35 purchases for the new F-47 program.
The Pentagon Releases Information on Its 2026 Budget Request—Does It Matter?
The Pentagon has started posting details of how it proposes to spend the money under the top line budget requested by the White House Office of Management and Budget in May. The long-awaited details may have limited value for three reasons. First, the defense budget submitted by the White House is simply too low to support stated strategic objectives and missions for a global power like the United States. As NATO members commit to five percent…
DoD’s $961 billion budget hinges on one-time reconciliation bill
The Defense Department’s $848.3 billion budget request for fiscal 2026 is slightly lower compared to its $849.8 billion request in fiscal 2025. But senior military and defense officials told reporters Thursday they built the fiscal 2026 budget around a “one budget, two bills” approach — meaning the reconciliation bill currently being debated in Congress should be considered part of the overall defense budget. The reconciliation bill — a major pi…
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