Congress is on the verge of approving an $833 billion defense budget amid continuing budget resolution uncertainties.
At a Glance
- House Armed Services Committee expects a short-term budget extension, eventually leading to an $833 billion defense budget for FY25.
- Details on the budget finalization remain unclear, and potential government shutdown looms without an extension by Oct. 1.
- A Continuing Resolution may be passed next week, extending until mid-November or early 2025.
- Defense planners will likely operate without a full budget months into the new fiscal year.
- The FY25 defense budget entails notable increases for military personnel, advanced aircraft, and defense innovation initiatives.
Congressional Defense Budget Nears Finalization
House Armed Services Committee Vice Chairman Rob Wittman anticipates a short-term budget extension, leading to an $833 billion defense budget for FY25. However, how Congress will finalize this specific allocation remains unclear. Lawmakers face a tight deadline as the fiscal year ends on September 30, and failure to pass a budget could result in a partial government shutdown. The pressure is mounting, and the possible extension of the Continuing Resolution (CR) is central to current discussions.
Wittman predicts a continuing resolution will be brought up next week, with intensive debates on its duration. “I think we know we’re not going to get the seven remaining appropriations bills done between now and the end of the fiscal year. In light of that, it looks like there’s going to be another continuing resolution that will come up next week, probably the middle of next week. The debate has been how long should that last.” Wittman suggests the budget extension may last until mid-November or early 2025, extending past the upcoming elections.
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Implications of Short-term Budget Extensions
Wittman criticizes short-term budget extensions as detrimental to effective defense management. According to him, these extensions present significant challenges for starting new programs and initiatives due to uncertainty surrounding their full funding. “The worst way for us to be able to manage the defense enterprise is through these short-term budget extensions,” he stated. Defense planners are likely to operate without a complete budget for months into the new fiscal year, complicating their efforts to manage defense capabilities efficiently.
Wittman called the short-term budget extensions necessary, but “the worst way for us to be able to manage the defense enterprise,” given the uncertainty surrounding when new programs and initiatives will be fully funded and can start.
Substantial Defense Allocations
The House-passed $833 billion target is expected to be the final figure, marking an increase of $8.57 billion from the FY24 level. This budget brings significant investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft, including the F-35, and allocates over $1.3 billion for defense-wide innovation efforts. Additionally, the budget includes a 4.5 percent pay raise for all military personnel, providing $500 million for the Israeli Cooperative Missile Defense Programs, and increased funding for the National Guard’s counterdrug programs.
“This FY25 Defense bill ensures our defenders are equipped, trained, and prepared to protect the United States,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Ok., said in a statement Friday. “It leads with strength against our adversaries, investing in capabilities to confront and defeat threats—if and when they arise.”
Adding to these investments, over $18 billion is realigned from President Biden’s budget, cutting funds allocated for Pentagon civilian jobs, climate change initiatives, and diversity training. The primary focus of the bill is to enhance the combat readiness of military forces, counter threats from China, and remove all funding for Ukraine.
With both the House and Senate resuming work next week, the need for a timely resolution remains critical. Lawmakers must navigate the complexities of national defense requirements and broader fiscal responsibilities. The proposed $833 billion defense budget aims to fortify the nation’s security and readiness while addressing adversarial threats globally.
“In a resource and time constrained environment, my top priority for the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations Bill is to strengthen our military’s position against any threat presented by China,” said California Rep. Ken Calvert, chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, which will take up the spending proposal on Wednesday.
