The United States is expected to allocate $833 billion for defense spending in fiscal year 2025, but according to Rep. Rob Wittman, Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, the budget will likely not be approved on time. Wittman, a Virginia Republican, made this prediction during the Defense News Conference on September 4, 2024, just weeks before a potential partial government shutdown if lawmakers fail to pass a budget extension.
Wittman highlighted the improbability of passing the seven remaining appropriations bills before the end of the fiscal year, emphasizing that Congress will instead likely opt for another continuing resolution (CR). This temporary measure is expected to be introduced next week to keep government operations funded. The real debate centers on how long the CR will last, with some lawmakers pushing for an extension into mid-November, while others propose waiting until after the new Congress is seated in early 2025.
How Much Taxes the U.S Defense Budget actually uses is Mind Boggling: pic.twitter.com/LwK3c6xEqL
— High Priority News (@HPNnetwork) September 5, 2024
A prolonged CR poses significant challenges for the Pentagon and the broader defense community. Wittman described such stopgap funding as "the worst way" to manage defense operations, leading to uncertainty about when new programs and initiatives can be fully funded. This delay hampers the Department of Defense’s ability to launch and sustain key projects, including modernization efforts and infrastructure improvements.
Despite the delay, Wittman expressed confidence that the House-passed $833 billion budget would eventually be adopted. He referred to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which aligns with the $833 billion figure, stating that the Pentagon should be able to function with this amount even in the absence of new appropriations.
As #Japan seeks another record defense budget of 8.5 trillion yen ($59 billion) for fiscal 2025, Chinese experts said on Saturday that the continuous increase reflects the militarism resurgence of the country that has committed serious humanitarian crimes in the past, and that… pic.twitter.com/XIsJBq7AVO
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) August 31, 2024
The pending budget also reflects priorities aimed at countering global threats, particularly from China. GOP lawmakers, led by Rep. Ken Calvert, have framed the FY25 defense bill as a tool for deterring Chinese aggression in the Pacific and bolstering U.S. strategic investments in the region. This includes enhancing innovation, modernizing military equipment, and improving civilian workforce management.
Additionally, the bill targets domestic issues such as fentanyl trafficking while supporting critical U.S. allies like Israel.
The House passed its version of the $833 billion defense budget in June, but it was a contentious vote. Many Democrats opposed the bill, criticizing the inclusion of conservative policy riders related to cultural issues such as abortion, LGBTQ rights, and climate change. These provisions have further polarized the budget debate, making it difficult to find common ground for swift passage.
Meanwhile, defense planners face a ticking clock, as they are forced to operate under constrained timelines and uncertain funding. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, speaking at the same conference, acknowledged that the Army’s barracks and housing require urgent investment, as does its power projection infrastructure. The Pentagon will have to navigate these challenges without clarity on when or how these needs will be met.
