President Donald Trump has called on Congress to increase military funding by $350 billion and to pass the stalled Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. Trump made this request on Wednesday, urging congressional Republicans to bypass Democratic opposition and pass a third budget reconciliation package. He stated that this funding would represent a significant investment in the military, larger than previous efforts under President Reagan.
This request follows the signing of a second budget reconciliation bill aimed at funding immigration enforcement for $70 billion. However, many Republicans are hesitant about restarting the budget reconciliation process, which requires party unity, especially with the upcoming midterm elections. Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about bypassing the normal appropriations process for defense spending.
Trump's push for additional funding comes amid growing tensions between him and congressional Republicans over policy decisions. Some Republican senators, including John Kennedy and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have indicated skepticism about the feasibility of another reconciliation bill. Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also remarked that reconciliation may not be the best approach for additional defense spending.
Discussions regarding a third reconciliation package were ongoing in the House prior to Trump's endorsement, with House Speaker Mike Johnson expressing confidence in passing a budget bill by the August recess. However, some GOP lawmakers are questioning the viability of this effort due to the slim Republican majority and a lack of unifying policy proposals.