The proposal comes because the Trump administration pursues a $1 trillion navy finances for the subsequent fiscal 12 months.
Congressional Republicans on Sunday released legislation that might pump a further $150 billion into the Pentagon — a morass of waste and profiteering — over the subsequent decade as a part of a sweeping reconciliation bundle that’s additionally expected to include deep cuts to Medicaid and tax breaks for the rich.
The Home Armed Providers Committee, a major target of weapons trade lobbying, unveiled the plan for what it known as “a historic funding of $150 billion to revive America’s navy capabilities and strengthen our nationwide protection.” The panel stated the laws was developed “in shut conjunction” with Senate Republicans and President Donald Trump, who’s individually pursuing a $1 trillion U.S. navy finances for the subsequent fiscal 12 months.
The laws would direct the brand new Pentagon funding towards a variety of initiatives backed by the president, together with a “Golden Dome” missile defense system that specialists have called an enormous boondoggle that could benefit Elon Musk.
The invoice, which is scheduled for a committee markup on Tuesday, additionally includes $4.5 billion to hurry manufacturing of the B-21 stealth bomber, a Northrop Grumman-made plane able to delivering nuclear weapons.
William Hartung, a senior analysis fellow on the Quincy Institute for Accountable Statecraft, stated Sunday that the GOP’s proposed Pentagon spending enhance is “a obtrusive instance of misplaced priorities.”
“That is no time to throw extra money at a weapons manufacturing base that’s already maxed out,” stated Hartung. “Any extra cash pumped into this method is more likely to be wasted. The one beneficiaries will likely be weapons contractors, who will likely be glad to simply accept the brand new funds whether or not they can use them successfully or not.”
“Provided that the Pentagon and its contractor community are having a tough time spending current funds properly,” Hartung added, “Congress ought to suppose twice earlier than sending extra taxpayer cash their means.”
The Republican push for extra Pentagon funding comes as Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing calls to resign for sharing plans for a U.S. navy assault on Yemen in no less than two personal group chats.
Earlier this month, as Widespread Desires reported, Hegseth endorsed Trump’s push for a $1 trillion U.S. navy finances, which might mark the very best degree of spending because the Second World Struggle.
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