Dear Friends,
Last Friday, the White House released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026. For the fifth year in a row, the defense budget remains flat at $892.6 billion—recycling previous figures from the Biden administration and, in real terms, cutting our warfighting capabilities.
To hit the $1 trillion headline, the administration leans on over $119 billion in mandatory spending—funds that would come through an uncertain and drawn-out reconciliation process. That means delaying critical investments over years while core defense funding stays stuck.
Our enemies won’t wait, and neither should we.
China recently announced a 7.2% boost to its defense spending. Russia is increasing its military budget by 14% this year—already outspending all of our European allies combined. The world is getting more dangerous, and America is falling behind.
As our Chairman Jeremy Hunt said plainly, “The American people expect a Peace Through Strength budget.” He’s right—and the numbers back him up. According to the Reagan National Defense Survey, 80% of Americans surveyed support increasing defense spending, a clear call to our leaders that the American people expect action.
The current budget proposal shortchanges our military and puts America at a strategic disadvantage just as the world grows more volatile. Our warfighters must have resources and weapons in preparation for the fights to come. President Trump has made it clear: peace comes through strength—and strength requires investment.
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Signed,
Veterans On Duty
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