Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request

2025-06-12

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Summary

This hearing focused on the Department of Defense's (DoD) fiscal year 2026 (FY26) budget request, which has faced significant delays in release to Congress, sparking concern among members on both sides of the aisle. Witnesses, including Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Kane, outlined the administration's defense priorities, emphasizing a "peace through strength" agenda focused on rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence in a complex global threat environment. Discussions covered budget allocations, acquisition reform, geopolitical challenges, and the cultural direction of the armed forces, including controversial changes to diversity and inclusion policies.

Themes

FY26 Budget and Acquisition Reform

The delayed submission of the FY26 budget request by the Office of Management and Budget was a significant point of contention, with members calling it "unacceptable" and detrimental to legislative processes and military planning [ 00:29:57 ]

. Secretary Hegseth acknowledged the delay, attributing it to the need for additional time to implement new administration initiatives, and highlighted $30 billion in savings found and reinvested across the department . The budget aims for a historic investment in national security, with calls to increase defense spending to at least 4% of GDP [ 00:30:58 ] . A major theme was the urgent need for acquisition reform to address a "broken system" that drives up costs and delays delivery of critical capabilities, with the bipartisan SPEED Act proposed to streamline processes [ 00:31:19 ] . Critics also raised concerns about budget transparency, particularly regarding a $25 billion "Golden Dome" project, an Air Force One aircraft acquisition, and the stability of shipbuilding funding .

Geopolitical Threats and Deterrence

The discussion underscored a "complex environment" with urgent threats from adversaries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, who are increasingly collaborating and expanding their military power [ 00:30:18 ]

. Secretary Hegseth outlined three core priorities for the DoD: restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and reestablishing deterrence, which aligns with President Trump's "peace through strength" agenda . Specific investments were highlighted, including $25 billion for "Golden Dome" for homeland defense, $62 billion for nuclear forces, and significant funding for next-generation technologies such as autonomous systems, long-range drones, and hypersonics . Concerns were raised about Russia's potential placement of anti-satellite nuclear weapons in space, the importance of preserving spectrum for warfighting, and Iran's breaches of non-proliferation agreements [ 00:58:35 ] . The AUKUS mission was cited as crucial for countering China, with calls for allies to increase their defense spending to at least 5% of GDP .

Military Culture, Recruitment, and Readiness

Significant debate centered on military culture, with Secretary Hegseth declaring "DEI is dead," replaced by a "colorblind, gender-neutral, merit-based approach" . He claimed this shift contributed to record high recruitment and retention rates, reflecting belief in the current leadership and "America First" priorities . Critics, however, raised concerns about loyalty to President Trump potentially overshadowing competency within the DoD, citing instances like the pulling of security details and proposed cuts to flag officers . The renaming of military bases, particularly those honoring Confederates, was criticized as undermining military values . The role of women in combat and service, and the disqualification of individuals with gender dysphoria, generated heated exchanges, with the Secretary asserting that gender dysphoria is a "mental disorder" and a disqualifying condition . General Kane emphasized the military's apolitical nature, in contrast to perceptions of increasing politicization, especially concerning an event at Fort Bragg [ 03:32:06 ]

. The importance of improving the seamless transition of service members from the DoD to the VA was also highlighted .

Border Security and Domestic Deployments

A key theme was the administration's focus on southern border security, with Secretary Hegseth claiming a 99.9% decrease in illegal crossings under current policies, which he described as addressing an "invasion" . This stance was met with skepticism and criticism regarding the redeployment of military funds and personnel to the border, with some members questioning the cost-effectiveness and perceived militarization of domestic law enforcement . The deployment of National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles was particularly controversial, with critics calling it "political theater" and raising concerns about its legality, constitutionality, and the impact on troop readiness . Secretary Hegseth defended these actions as necessary to protect federal law enforcement officers when local authorities are "unwilling or unable" to do so [ 01:45:44 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting's tone was highly contentious and polarized, marked by frequent and often acrimonious exchanges between members of Congress and the witnesses . Many members expressed frustration and exasperation over delayed budget information, lack of transparency, and what they perceived as evasive or non-committal answers from Secretary Hegseth [ 00:29:57 ]

. Secretary Hegseth generally maintained a defensive and assertive stance, frequently rejecting the premise of questions, discrediting media reports, or reiterating the administration's priorities and achievements [ 01:00:49 ] . Conversely, some members offered patriotic and appreciative remarks, commending the witnesses for their service and the administration's efforts to strengthen the military . General Kane consistently maintained a professional and measured demeanor, often deferring policy questions to civilian leadership and emphasizing the apolitical nature and mission-focus of the military [ 00:58:54 ] .