GOP Advances Record Military Budget Amid Deep Domestic Cuts

Congressional Republicans moved Thursday to greenlight a record-breaking $1.072 trillion defense budget for 2027, triggering sharp rebukes from Democrats who contend the massive military expansion is being financed by gutting essential social programs and domestic services for working families already strained by persistent inflation.

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 18-9 to advance the National Defense Authorization Act, while the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee pushed through a corresponding spending bill during a closed-door session. This represents a $234 billion increase over current levels, part of a broader administration push for $1.5 trillion in total defense-related outlays. To secure this funding, the White House is urging the use of budget reconciliation, though many lawmakers remain hesitant after recently utilizing the same mechanism to authorize $70 billion for border and immigration enforcement.

Opposition to the plan highlights a stark contrast in fiscal priorities. Ranking member Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) criticized the move as an unprecedented transfer of public wealth that sacrifices workforce training, education, and diplomacy. Beyond the immediate military hike, the administration is seeking $70 billion in domestic program reductions, targeting the Job Corps, student aid, public health initiatives, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, argued that the spending package ignores public demand for relief from high costs, suggesting that the funding would be better utilized to address the nation's healthcare, housing, and food security needs.