Trump Urges Senate to Pass $350 Billion Defense Bill
President Donald Trump is pressing Senate Republicans to pass a $350 billion military funding bill before Democrats take control of Congress in January.
Donald J. Trump urged Senate leadership on Thursday to immediately pass a $350 billion reconciliation bill to rebuild the United States military. The funding is part of a larger $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 defense budget request aimed at expanding munitions production, critical minerals procurement, and the Golden Dome missile defense system to address shortfalls caused by the war with Iran.
Trump stated the investment is necessary to provide military personnel with a "decisive advantage" and accused the incoming Democratic majority of planning to "BLOCK and RESIST" the funding. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth supported the push, describing the current lame-duck period as critical for securing the minimum $350 billion needed for a "generational and historic investment" in the department.
While Senate GOP Conference Chair Tom Cotton committed to doing everything possible to pass the bill, the effort faces internal Republican opposition. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed uncertainty regarding whether the necessary party-line votes exist. Democrats have signaled they may block the spending increase and the ongoing conflict in Iran once they assume their new majorities in January.
