Summary
Donald Trump urged Senate Republicans to advance a $350 billion defense package before Democrats take control of Congress in January. The package is part of his administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 defense budget, but divisions among Republicans have stalled progress.Key Facts
- The administration proposed routing $1.15 trillion of its defense budget through regular appropriations and $350 billion through budget reconciliation.
- The requested package includes $47 billion for munitions production, $17 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system, and more than $48 billion for critical minerals.
- The House adopted a $95 billion budget resolution by two votes, while the Senate did not vote on a budget resolution before the midterms.
- Republicans have considered using budget reconciliation, which lets a majority pass spending measures without overcoming a Senate filibuster.
- Several Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and John Cornyn, raised concerns about the proposal or the reconciliation process.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune pledged to make every effort to pass a budget resolution and defense package during the lame-duck session.
- Senator Rand Paul said he would oppose the bill.
