What Happened
Congressional Politics Threaten Regular Defense Spending
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the Trump administration’s defense agenda is facing uncertainty. Office of Management and Budget director Russ Vought has hinted at using budget reconciliation to secure funding for defense priorities, but Democrats are warning that further gains may be difficult without compromise. The expiration of the current continuing resolution at the end of January 30 will be a key test for Congress, with lawmakers needing to resolve whether to move forward with the House’s topline or the Senate’s higher amount. According to Breaking Defense, defense executives are putting on a positive face despite the looming budget questions, with Lockheed Martin’s CFO noting strong demand and alignment between Congress and industry priorities.