US lawmakers propose additional USD150 billion for defence through budget reconciliation process

The future Virginia-class attack submarine Montana (SSN 794) conducts initial sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean in February 2022. Congress seeks to add a second Virginia-class submarine in FY 2027 through a budget reconciliation measure. (US Navy/HHI)

US House and Senate armed services committees have released budget reconciliation legislation that would authorise an additional USD150 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2025 spending for Trump administration defence priorities, according to a joint statement on 27 April by House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Representative Mike Rogers, an Alabama Republican, and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Chairman Senator Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican.

Budget reconciliation is an expedited process for considering certain legislation that bypasses the filibuster in the Senate and limits the scope of amendments.

HASC is scheduled to markup the legislation on 29 April.

“This legislation represents a generational upgrade for our nation's defence capabilities, including historic investments in new technology,” Wicker said in the statement.

The appropriated funds must be spent by 30 September 2034, according to the legislation.

Shipbuilding

Shipbuilding continues to be a challenge for the US Navy. The legislation adds USD33.7 billion to strengthen the shipbuilding industrial base and procure additional vessels. This includes USD450 million for maritime additive manufacturing, USD492 million for “next-generation shipbuilding techniques”, USD450 million to apply autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI), USD500 million for “additional dry-dock capability”, USD450 million for workforce development, and USD750 million to strengthen suppliers across the naval shipbuilding industrial base.