On Point | Podcast The $1 trillion defense budget
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Jun 19, 2025 Lindsay Kashkirian, the Program Director for the National Priorities Project with the Institute for Policy Studies, dives into the controversial One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aims to raise defense spending to over $1 trillion. She highlights the implications of such spending on national security and essential services, questioning its efficiency and accountability. The discussion also explores U.S.-China military relations, the consequences of an arms race, and the need for a reevaluation of military investments to prioritize domestic needs while enhancing soldier safety.
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Historic $1 Trillion Pentagon Budget
- The 2024 Pentagon budget surpasses $1 trillion, the highest since the Cold War, Vietnam, and Iraq wars, inflation-adjusted.
- About half this amount funds corporate contractors, highlighting the scale and priority of military spending.
Naval Expansion and China Arms Race
- Expanding naval shipbuilding is a priority driven by concerns over China's growing fleet and global dominance ambitions.
- However, counting ship numbers oversimplifies capabilities and fuels costly arms races.
Defense Spending Surge Ahead
- Global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, are driving a surge in defense spending expected to last 3-5 years.
- European countries and the U.S. are increasing budgets to enhance deterrence capabilities.