Why Should We Care About America's "Offensively Meager" Defense Budget? | with U.S. Congressman Don Bacon

Hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso interview Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), a retired Air Force Brigadier General with 29 years of military service. Rep. Bacon serves on the House Armed Services Committee and brings unique insights from both military leadership and congressional oversight.

Congressman Bacon is concerned that America is spending just 2.9% of GDP on defense—the lowest level since 1940, before Pearl Harbor. He argues for increasing defense spending to 4% of GDP, approximately $150 billion more annually, to address critical modernization needs including nuclear triad upgrades, fifth and sixth-generation fighters, attack submarines, and improved military quality of life.

The discussion highlights America's innovation deficit, particularly in drone technology and electronic warfare, where Ukrainian forces have outpaced U.S. capabilities. Bacon emphasizes how Ukraine's recent destruction of 41 Russian strategic bombers using $5,000 drones demonstrates the power of cost-effective innovation over expensive legacy systems.

Bacon addresses growing tensions within the Republican Party between traditional alliance supporters and isolationist factions, drawing parallels to 1930s isolationism. He warns that current diplomatic approaches risk alienating key allies, citing business challenges with Canada and European partners. The congressman advocates for maintaining America's role as "leader of the free world" while acknowledging the need for burden-sharing.

With China potentially spending $700 billion on defense (despite claiming $170 billion), Bacon emphasizes the urgency of military modernization focused on long-range precision weapons, air and missile defense, and drone swarm technology. He stresses that deterring China requires immediate weapons deliveries to Taiwan, noting billions in delayed military aid.

Two years of continuing resolutions have hampered military readiness and prevented new program starts. Bacon explains the bipartisan nature of the Armed Services Committee while criticizing broader congressional dysfunction that prioritizes partisan politics over national security.

Bacon highlights critical nuclear deterrent gaps, including 50-year-old Minuteman III ICBMs that cannot be extended, aging B-2 bombers with outdated stealth technology, and Ohio-class submarines reaching end-of-life. With Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters located at Offutt Air Force Base in his district, he argues these systems are essential for countering both China and Russia.

Despite being a deficit hawk concerned about the $36 trillion national debt, Bacon argues that defense spending increases are necessary while addressing mandatory spending on Social Security and Medicare, which comprises 73% of federal spending.

This episode provides essential insights into America's defense readiness challenges, alliance management complexities, and the urgent need for strategic clarity in confronting great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region.

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