A House panel has rejected the White House’s $18 billion request for defense spending in fiscal year 2025 and has proposed redirecting it to other purposes, including countering China, the committee said.
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The House Budget Committee on Tuesday unveiled its $833 billion defense budget, an increase of $8.57 billion, or 1%, over the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.
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“The bill rejects the $18 billion in unjustified and unnecessary spending included in the President’s budget request and redirects these resources to programs and activities to counter the People’s Republic of China and other similar adversaries, stimulate innovation, and expand the role of the Department of Defense in combating the smuggling of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, support for military personnel and their families,” the statement said.
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The initiative proposes, in particular, to direct $200 million in military aid to Taiwan, suspend the decommissioning of three ships, U-2 spy planes and some types of F-15 fighters, and increase investment in fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft.
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The Chamber also advocates the creation of an “Office of Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance” with an allocation of $1 million.
