Biden's proposed Pentagon budget prompts jockeying for more defense money

Amid criticism of President Joe Biden's proposed defense budget as too large or too small, civilian and military defense officials are seizing on current events to highlight why their programs and systems are vital to American security.

The top U.S. commander for Europe, Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, took the lead on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Sufficient funding is critical to maintaining "readiness and posture to respond in crisis or conflict," said Wolters, who also serves as Supreme NATO Commander Europe. In sober testimony, Wolters described Russia's nuclear weapons as a particular danger to the West.

"Russia’s nuclear arsenal and strike capability remains an enduring, existential threat to the United States, democracy, and our peaceful allies and partners," Wolters said, in what was viewed as a prelude to a closed session request for specific weapons systems.

Biden on Monday released his proposed budget for the Defense Department. Biden asked for $813 billion, an increase of roughly $30 billion over last year’s defense budget. 

The proposal drew rebuke from both sides of the aisle, with conservatives and progressives critiquing the request, but for different reasons.

The defense budget would be woefully small, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell predicted earlier this year.

"President Biden must lead by example," McConnell said in a February floor speech. "The president's next budget request must include at least a 5% increase in defense spending above inflation. Russia and China have prioritized military modernization literally for decades. We are actually behind."

And, while Republicans repeated those concerns this week, Democrat progressives charged that the defense numbers were too high.

"If budgets are value statements, today’s White House proposal for Pentagon spending shows that we have a lot of work to do," Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) wrote in a Monday statement. 

The budget was released as individual services and lobbies push to reinforce programs such as two weapons systems that for years have drawn fierce advocates even while being downgraded.

Supporters have ramped up efforts to save the 1970's-era A-10 "Warthog" ground attack aircraft, which can wreak havoc on armored targets.

Additionally, advocates have seen $34.4 billion allocated toward restoring the nation's nuclear triad, the longstanding program to mount nuclear weapons aboard land, sea, and air platforms. 

Critics who view Biden's request as not sufficient in light of Russia's attack on Ukraine should not be overly concerned, according to one Pentagon senior official.

"This entire budget was baked in a long time before Christmas," said the official, who is not authorized to speak to the press. "This was drawn up when no one thought this would happen in Ukraine."

Any new defense needs can be paid for through existing mechanisms, the official said, noting that a line item for discretionary funds is included in every budget. Additionally, the official said, defense planners could ask for supplemental funds to cover unforeseen costs.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin supported his boss in a Monday statement, saying that among other things, the number "reinforces our commitment to the concept of integrated deterrence, allows us to better sequence and conduct operations around the globe that are aligned to our priorities," and that it "modernizes the Joint Force."