GOP Defense Hawks Threaten Trump's $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget Over Russia Shift
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 28
GOP Defense Hawks Threaten Trump's $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget Over Russia Shift
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 28
Summary
$1.5 trillion in planned Pentagon spending is at risk as Republican defense hawks warn they could withhold support from President Donald Trump after his recent moves toward Moscow.
Trump needs near-unanimous GOP backing in the House and Senate to pass the budget after the midterms, especially if Republicans lose one or both chambers.
The rupture stems from steps hawks see as soft on Russia, including allowing sales of Russian diesel fuel, waiving sanctions on Moscow and an unexplained slowdown in Ukraine's satellite defenses.
Rep. Don Bacon, a retiring Nebraska Republican, said he sees little reason to fund Trump's broader agenda if the president "can't even see Russia as our adversary," signaling more defections could follow.
That gives defense hawks unusual leverage over supplemental funding, reconciliation and other White House priorities, while warning the administration that its Russia stance could derail its military spending push.