Senator Coons statement on President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request

WILMINGTON, Del. - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement in response to President Trump's unprecedented $1.5 trillion defense budget request:

"President Trump's proposed Pentagon budget misunderstands what our nation and our military need. It makes clear what we've all seen with the war of choice in Iran: President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are in way over their heads.

"As Americans face climbing grocery and gas prices, the last thing they need is President Trump making life even more expensive to pay for a 44% increase in military funding for foreign wars - all while he claims, 'it's not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, [and] Medicare.' We can and should ensure our warfighters have the munitions and materiel they need to keep us safe, and I am committed to delivering for them a well-deserved pay raise. However, this request defies the bounds of what is needed for those important concerns. It seems the real reason for this $1.5 trillion request is that the president thought of the highest number he could fathom and then tweeted it. That's it. That is not a reasonable justification.

"The department seems to be doubling down on its mistakes from last year's chaotic and mismanaged defense appropriations process. As the ranking Democrat on defense appropriations, I hope that this year's request is more timely, detailed, and provides real justifications for their spending. It's what the American people and our service members deserve."

Senator Coons is the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.