US defense budget debate begins to turn ugly

In American politics, there are many ways budget funding fights can be manifested. There is the traditional rivalry between the Republicans and the Democrats in Congress over the size of the budget and what it is to be spent on. But the most acrimonious budget battles center on the defense budget.

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which was unveiled last week, earmarks $886 billion for different defense spending outlays, including a 5.2 percent pay increase for members of the armed forces. However, the most controversial aspect of the proposed defense budget is the unintended unity in the positions of the left-wing progressives in Congress and the ultraconservatives, especially the group known as the Freedom Caucus. This highlights the dilemma of American politics on the nature, the scope and the methods of political debate and it represents a problem for American democracy regarding how it can function.

There are many new policies that the defense bill introduces. Among them is an elevation in the status of the top general of the US Space Force, giving the role the same rank and stature as those of the army, navy, air force and Marine Corps. It makes the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau hold a statutory rank of general while serving in that position. It establishes the procurement of up to 10 Virginia-class submarines.

Among the amendments made in the Senate are an effort to collect data on unidentified flying objects and the mandate of a two-thirds majority of members of the Senate before the president can withdraw the country from NATO.

However, what makes this defense bill unprecedented is that it embraces many aspects of the so-called culture wars in American politics. Many Republicans have stressed the need to abolish access to abortions for military troops and their families. They have attempted to remove permanent healthcare provisions for transgender service members and their family members. Both issues were left out of the draft bill. A few analysts have warned against the language of the budget, which prevents any racial equality phrases in its various items and categories.

The political implications of the defense budget are numerous. It negates the goal of striking a consensus in American foreign and defense policies. Therefore, partisan disputes will dominate any foreign policy discussion in Washington. It makes American politics very unpredictable, since the least unpredictable outcomes could happen. For instance, Republican members of the Freedom Caucus have voted with Democrats to kill off previous defense budget bills and to stop the reelection of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as the speaker of the House.

Moreover, many members of Congress have the economies of their congressional districts dependent on defense spending. With the debate on the defense budget getting more tense, the political mood inside Congress could get very bitter, demeaning and aggressive, as each member will try to secure the maximum benefits for his or her constituency from the huge and disputed budget authorization act.

President Joe Biden has also contributed to this negative partisan fight over the priorities in defense spending. Biden’s request for additional funding of more than $100 billion to help support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan has complicated the budgetary politics. Constitutionally, the president can invoke supplementary funding measures. Nevertheless, the timing and circumstances of such a request are very unfortunate. Senate Republicans have voted against this extra funding, while insisting on the inclusion of more spending on the US border with Mexico. This ties defense spending into a complex web of items that have little to do with the US’ ability to fight wars or counter national security threats, which are the main challenges to any country’s national security policy and politics.

This defense bill is unprecedented as it embraces many aspects of the so-called culture wars in American politics.

Maria Maalouf

The Pentagon’s budget may impact the presidential election in 2024. Members of the Freedom Caucus share the same views as former President Donald Trump, with his emphasis on “America First.” Such a slogan minimizes America’s involvement in foreign wars and reduces the chances of its military getting involved in overseas missions. However, the Trump administration raised defense spending significantly.

Trump went on to criticize the large amount of money the Biden administration has been spending on aiding Ukraine militarily in its war against Russia. Perhaps a future Trump presidency could direct the Department of Defense to focus more on increasing the salaries and benefits of armed services personnel. At least this would be a policy likely to make him more popular.

Trump is very much present in the current debate on the defense spending bill, despite not being physically visible in its polemics. He will most likely make many references to the large amount of money Congress has allocated in its defense budget. Yet, there is a problem lurking for whoever wins next year’s presidential election. The nature of American politics grants Congress the right to vote on the defense budget every year. Thus, the fight over the 2024 defense budget is not the final one. The fights could turn even nastier in the years to come.

• Maria Maalouf is a Lebanese journalist, broadcaster, publisher, and writer. X: @bilarakib