ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE APPROVES $150B FUNDING BOOST FOR DEFENSE INITIATIVES

By Allison Kirschbaum

After a four hour debate on Tuesday, March 29th, the House Armed Services Committee has advanced a large, $150 billion defense spending increase, which is likely to become part of the upcoming reconciliation bill. The $150 billion defense spending package is part of a broader spending package that Trump plans to enact.

One of the largest items on the list is the missile defense system known as the Golden Dome, which has received $25 billion in funding. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R., Ala.) and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker played a significant role in the release of the proposal, pushing the military budget above $1 trillion for fiscal year 2025. Learn more about other priority areas that the legislation is funding.

The New Funding Boost is an Investment in Defense

The U.S. House and Senate Armed Services Committees just advanced a proposal to increase military spending. It is one of the largest budget increases in current history.

The $150 billion defense funding increase is part of a broader package of spending changes. This portion of the bill will be incorporated into a large package, allowing Republicans to bypass the Senate filibuster with a majority vote.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced that there would be an additional budget.

There is an approved budget already for defense allocation, which is standing at $886 billion, and with the $150 billion additional to that amount, the total military budget for fiscal year 2025 would be more than $1 trillion, if Republicans succeed with passing the full bill.

“Our defense industrial base has weakened. America’s deterrence is failing, and without a generational investment in our national defense, we will lose the ability to defeat our adversaries,” Rogers said in a statement.

What Is the Golden Dome?

The Golden Dome was established through a White House executive order, and its goal was to create a comprehensive shield protecting the United States against weapons and advanced missiles.

There’s a certain need for the Golden Dome, as countries like China, Russia, and North Korea have faster and more advanced missile technology, and the Golden Dome would be essential in keeping the U.S. safe.

With the $25 billion allocated for the Golden Dome, the $15 billion is a part of the next-generation satellite system; therefore, the breakdown is as follows:

$2 billion for military satellites with air-moving target indicators
$500 million for national security space launch infrastructure
$400 million to expand the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed
$5.6 billion to develop space-based and boost-phase missile interceptors
$2.4 billion for military non-kinetic missile defense effects, such as electronic warfare tools
$7.2 billion to develop, procure, and integrate military space-based sensors
$183 million for Missile Defense Agency special programs
$250 million for directed energy technology development and testing
$300 million for classified military space superiority programs overseen by the Strategic Capabilities Office

“This legislation represents a generational upgrade for our nation’s defense capabilities, including historic investments in new technology,” Wicker said, and all of these efforts and budgets are aimed at detecting and tracking enemy missiles.

What Defense Priorities Are Included in the Bill?

Included in the bill are 12 high-priority areas within the Department of Defense.

According to the chairmen, "The House and Senate Armed Services Committees developed this legislation in close conjunction with the White House to modernize America’s military, secure the border, and strengthen national security."

They are the following:

$9 billion for Servicemember Quality of Life: Funds increases in allowances and special pays. This includes housing improvements, healthcare, and assistance to military families.
$34 billion for Shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base: Expands the size and enhances the capability of our naval fleet. Autonomous surface and subsurface technology will be invested in.
$25 billion for Golden Dome for America: Develops the space-based assets needed to accelerate defense against hypersonic threats.
$21 billion for Munitions: Restocks America’s arsenal of munitions. Expands capacity in the industrial base to support higher levels of munitions production, and also expands the creation of missile defense interceptors.
$14 billion to Expedite Innovation to the Warfighter: Expands DoD initiatives to scale new technology.
$13 billion for Nuclear Deterrence: Improves current nuclear deterrent readiness. Allows for infrastructure investments needed to restore America’s ability to manufacture nuclear weapons.
$12 billion to Enhance Military Readiness. Improves infrastructure at military depots and shipyards. Enhances Special Forces capabilities.
$11 billion for Pacific Deterrence: Expands military exercises and improves readiness of IndoPacific forces. Allows for the building of infrastructure needed to defend forces and conduct military operations in the Western Pacific.
$7 billion for Air Superiority: Accelerates delivery of next generation aircraft and autonomous systems.
$5 billion for Border Security: Funds DoD personnel and logistics support to help with Trump’s border & immigration plan.
$400 million for Fiscal Responsibility and a Clean Audit. Requires audits of funds provided to the DoD. Invests in the IT infrastructure & capabilities needed to ensure the DoD fully passes an audit.

The Bill is Receiving Criticism from Democrats

The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), has criticized the decision to push the proposal through the budget reconciliation process. He argued that he couldn't support the $150 billion defense increase because he opposed the broader reconciliation bill.

Democratic lawmakers on the committee did not succeed in their attempt to block or amend the bill before it was advanced out of the committee. Democrats did include around two dozen amendments, but the all failed to pass.

The defense portion of the reconciliation bill will now be moving to the House Budget Committee, where it will be merged with other legislation currently pending into one package.

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Armed Services Committees Propose $150 Billion Funding Boost for Defense

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