Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate are moving to reject President Donald Trump’s requested $1.5 trillion defense budget, signaling opposition to the proposal as Congress returns for a lame-duck session. Meanwhile, lawmakers must also address a December 11 deadline to fund the government or risk a shutdown.
Democrats block defense budget increase
House Democrats, now holding a commanding majority in the chamber, have indicated they will oppose the president’s defense budget request, which was initially proposed at $1.5 trillion for 2027. Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, stated that the budget proposal was unsustainable and called for a more realistic approach to national security. “We must push for the development of a more realistic and sustainable approach to our national security — one that does not require a defense budget in excess of $1 trillion or one paid for with draconian cuts to critical domestic programs,” Smith said in a statement.
President Trump had argued that the increased funding would support a “Dream Military” and claimed that revenue from tariffs would make the budget feasible. “Because of Tariffs, and the tremendous Income that they bring, amounts being generated, that would have been unthinkable in the past … we are able to easily hit the $1.5 Trillion Dollar number,” Trump wrote in January. He also suggested the approach would allow for debt reduction and provide financial relief to moderate-income Americans.
Congress returns with funding, defense, and economic priorities
Lawmakers returned to Washington with a packed agenda, including extending government funding set to expire on December 11. Failure to pass a continuing resolution or full-year appropriations bills would result in a government shutdown. Democrats, now holding majorities in both chambers, have indicated they may delay full-year funding negotiations until the new Congress is seated in January to leverage concessions from the White House.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the presumptive chair of the Appropriations Committee, emphasized Congress’s constitutional authority over spending. “This former preschool teacher is going to teach President Trump a simple lesson: The power of the purse belongs to CONGRESS!” Murray said in a social media post.
Democrats target food prices amid economic concerns
High grocery prices, driven in part by tariffs and the ongoing conflict in Iran, were a central issue in the midterm elections, which handed Democrats control of both chambers. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that lowering food costs would be a priority in the new Congress. “It was a tremendous victory for the American people and a strong rebuke of MAGA extremism, which has made life more expensive for everyday Americans despite their promises to lower the high cost of living on day one,” Jeffries told NPR.
Democrats have proposed rolling back tariffs, which they argue have contributed to higher food prices by increasing costs for imported goods and supplies. Lael Brainard, director of The Kitchen Table Project, noted that Americans are feeling financial pressure from rising prices. “They are feeling like they are getting squeezed by high prices that don't need to be that high,” Brainard said.
Policy implications and next steps
The standoff over the defense budget and government funding reflects broader divisions over fiscal policy and economic priorities. Democrats have framed their opposition to the defense budget as a necessary check on spending, while Republicans may struggle to advance the proposal without bipartisan support. The December 11 deadline adds urgency to negotiations, as lawmakers must act to avoid a government shutdown. Meanwhile, the push to address food prices highlights Democrats’ focus on economic relief as they prepare to take full control of Congress in January.