What Happened
Pentagon Official Warns Of Budget Gap For Missile Defense Initiative
Gen. Michael Guetlein, the Pentagon official overseeing Golden Dome, warned that the missile defense initiative faces a fiscal year 2027 funding gap unless Congress finds a new way to finance the program. The initial funding was routed through reconciliation, and with that route now uncertain, the Pentagon and Congress need another solution. Guetlein expressed concern about the timing of the funding but expects lawmakers to reach an agreement. The program has already made significant progress, with $22.5 billion committed and construction underway at several sites. This development was first reported by SpaceNews.