Congress will be putting on the pressure this week as the House and Senate convene to determine the new military spending budget for the coming five years. This very important budget is vital for the country’s defense and security needs as it contributes to the overall defense of the country.
The budget, if passed, is expected to raise the total budget to $740 billion, a $17 billion increase from the previous cycle. The spending would go towards defense programs, research, and operations as well as retirement benefits for servicemembers.
The military budget will also be used to fund a variety of diversity initiatives for members of the military, including recruitment initiatives, training programs, and investment in developing minority-owned businesses. Unfortunately, several of these initiatives have been gutted or cut from the budget, which has led to criticism from some Members of Congress.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said, “It is simply outrageous to think that in the midst of a global pandemic we are cutting programs that invest in diversity and inclusion in our military. I will continue to fight for these initiatives and ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources and support to succeed.”
Despite the cuts, both the House and Senate are still determined to push forward with negotiations, as both chambers are on different pages regarding certain aspects of the budget. The Senate wants to make sure the budget does not fall short in terms of potential investments in essential military activities, while the House wants to include funding to take care of the needs of military families.
In the end, the one thing both chambers agree on is that the budget cannot shortchange the nation’s defense or the servicemembers that serve the nation. As negotiations move forward, the Senate and House will be looking for any potential compromise that ensures the budget is both comprehensive and effective for the military’s needs.