Congress Moves Toward $1 Trillion Military Budget Amid Medicaid Cuts

The House Armed Services Committee is scheduled to mark up its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this Tuesday. This follows the Senate Armed Services Committee’s recent advancement of a $925 billion package for Fiscal Year 2026, an increase of $30 billion over current levels. While the earlier Medicaid-cutting reconciliation bill faced stiff partisan resistance, the NDAA is expected to secure bipartisan backing; Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) remains the sole committee dissenter.

Proponents, including Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), defend the expenditure as essential for global stability. However, critics argue the figures ignore the true cost of national security. When combined with the $150 billion Pentagon boost previously signed by President Donald Trump, total authorized military spending now exceeds $1 trillion. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) questioned the legislative priorities, asking why funding for war is consistently available while support for the poor and children remains limited.

Recent analysis from the Costs of War Project and the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft suggests the arms industry plays a significant role in maintaining this spending trajectory. The report indicates that more than half of all Pentagon discretionary spending between 2020 and 2024 flowed to private contractors. With the Senate proposing to increase F-35 jet procurement from 24 to 34 units, watchdogs continue to label the program a boondoggle. The report further highlights that the defense sector heavily targets campaign contributions toward members of key armed services committees, effectively insulating the budget from significant downward pressure.