To Finance $1.5T Defense Budget, Push for $600B in Reconciliation

February 5, 2026 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2026-1770312720301-2439

Congress Should Work with White House to Develop and Pass Another Budget Reconciliation Bill

The president recently announced his desire for a $1.5 trillion defense budget in fiscal year 2027, which would represent a substantial increase of $600 billion over current figures. Congress should work with the White House to develop and pass another budget reconciliation bill with defense spending in 2026. The Pentagon needs to act fast, collaborating with congress to propose what they need. The two key issues to resolve: how best to split a conceptual $1.5 trillion defense budget between the FY26 reconciliation bill and FY27 base budget request, and to provide clarity to lawmakers on exactly how they want to spend the proposed $600 billion increase.

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Key Takeaways

The president recently announced his desire for a $1.5 trillion defense budget.
A full year defense continuing resolution looks unlikely for the remainder of 2026.
Divided control of Congress creates a high probability of another full year defense continuing resolution in FY27.

American Enterprise Institute

Strategic Implications

This may indicate a need for Congress to work with the White House to develop and pass another budget reconciliation bill with defense spending. The Pentagon should engage now to ensure legislation contains funding for what the military needs most. This approach provides more flexibility in funding accounts and delivers money right away, not a year or more from now.