Summary of Testimony Concerning the President's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request

President's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request

This hearing convenes to discuss the President's fiscal year 2026 budget request. Key figures present include Secretary Hexath, Chairman Kane, and acting controller McDonald.

Achievements and Priorities

Refocusing the Pentagon

The administration has successfully refocused the Pentagon on war fighting, leading to improved recruitment numbers.

Border Control

The US military has supported the President's success in achieving operational control over the southern border, a move supported by many Americans.

Operation Rough Rider

The operation against the Houthis was well-executed and achieved its objectives, at least for the time being.

Counterterrorism

Relentless strikes against Al Qaeda and ISIS terrorists have opened up diplomatic opportunities in Syria and prevented potential attacks from Somalia.

Global Security Challenges

Axis of Aggressors

Aggressive dictators challenge American global leadership.

Russia

Vladimir Putin is uninterested in peace negotiations.

Europe

European nations are rearming, but a US withdrawal could jeopardize progress towards those goals.

Asia

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is aggressive towards its neighbors with ambitions to retake Taiwan. Secretary Hegseth noted China's aim to become a hegemonic power in Asia.

Middle East

The Ayatollah's regime is crumbling but still refuses to negotiate.

Overall

This is described as the most dangerous national security moment since World War II due to unconstrained, aggressive dictators and the rapidly changing nature of warfare.

Adversaries

President Trump is focused on protecting American interests against:

• Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party
• Vladimir Putin's militarized Russia
• Kim Jong Un's North Korea
• The Ayatollah's religious fanatics and terrorist network

Budget Concerns

The fiscal year 2026 budget request is deemed insufficient for maintaining deterrence and applying force when necessary.

Defense Spending

Secretary Hexath previously stated that spending less than 3% of GDP on defense would be very dangerous. The proposed budget maintains defense spending at $893,000,000,000$ across the administration's four years, resulting in 2.65% of GDP by 2029, even with a one-time infusion of $150,000,000,000$. This is below the desired 5% of GDP.

China's Military Budget

Communist China has increased its military budget by over 7% annually for the past decade.

Budget Shortfalls

A flat fiscal year 2026 budget was delivered by the OMB, leading to holes in shipbuilding, tactical fighters, and basic maintenance funding.

Reconciliation Package

The budget appears to overlook items in the reconciliation package, raising concerns about ignoring congressional intent.

Reindustrialization

There is a need for closer collaboration on investment strategies to rebuild the industrial base and the arsenal of democracy.

Senator Reed's Concerns

Iran

It is critical that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. Prime Minister Netanyahu's preemptive war threatens regional stability.

Global Challenges

Russia's assault on Ukraine continues while China threatens allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

Department of Defense Disarray

The Pentagon is allegedly in disarray due to purges of defense experts, gutted oversight, and firings of generals and admirals.

Diplomacy

Concerns over diplomatic missteps, such as conceding negotiating leverage to Russia regarding Ukraine's borders and NATO membership.

Readiness

Firing 8% of the defense workforce (75,000 employees) and gutting the Office of Director of Operational Tests and Evaluation are concerning.

Resource Allocation

Concerns over resource allocation. Diverting troops to the southern border and Los Angeles erodes military readiness.

Meritocracy and Leadership

Senior military officers were fired without justification, creating fear within the ranks.

Politicization of the Military

Worries about the politicization of the military.

Transparency

Lack of transparency due to the absence of press conferences, restricted press access, and internal leak searches.

Secretary Hengsons's Testimony

Appreciation and Support

Expresses support for President Trump's proposed fiscal year 26 budget and thanks Congress for the bipartisan support, particularly for troop pay raises.

Quality of Life Improvements

Highlights investments in barracks, base housing, PCS process reforms, and healthcare improvements.

Budget Overview

The $961,600,000,000$ budget request addresses underinvestment in the military. Savings of nearly $30,000,000,000$ were found, increasing the DOD budget in 2026 by $143,000,000,000$. Funds are redirected from previous administration priorities to Trump's priorities, like border security.

Core Priorities

• Restore the warrior ethos
• Rebuild our military
• Reestablish deterrence

Warrior Ethos

Focus on war fighting, lethality, meritocracy, standards, and readiness. DEI initiatives have been replaced with a surge of young Americans wanting to join.

Military Rebuilding

Correcting past squandering of military advantage as China carried out a military buildup. Plans to revive the defense industrial base, reform acquisitions, and rapidly field new technologies.

Investments

• $25,000,000,000$ for Golden Dome for America to defend the homeland.
• $62,000,000,000$ to modernize nuclear forces.
• $3,500,000,000$ for the F-47 sixth-generation air superiority fighter.
• $6,000,000,000$ in FY26 for shipbuilding, part of a $47,000,000,000$ overall investment.

Deterrence

Operational control of border has decreased illegal crossings by 99.9%. CBP released zero illegals into the US last month, a decrease from interior last May's numbers which were 62,000 released.

Indo-Pacific

Prioritizing the Indo-Pacific region and collaboration with allies and partners, expecting NATO allies to commit 5% of GDP to defense.

General Kane's Testimony

Efficiency and Accountability

Committed to maximizing efficiency and ensuring expenditures increase lethality and survivability.

Joint Force

Focus on delivering capability and capacity to the joint force, thanking civilians and families for their work. It's crucial to understand, advise, and integrate the joint force across all domains and services.

Budget Goals

Empowers the joint force to restore the warrior ethos, rebuild the military, and reestablish deterrence. The goal is to arm the force properly, integrate it globally, and keep it ready.

Industrial Base

Aim to reinvigorate the national and defense industrial base by unlocking talent.

Global Integration

Enhancing relationships with military allies, partners, and interagency organizations.

People

Investments in service members and their families for housing, medical care, and moving processes. Acknowledgment of Colonel Matt Chamonte's service.