The White House unveiled its budget proposal for 2027 on Friday, March 3, foreseeing a whopping 42% increase in the colossal U.S. defense spending. This would bring it to $1.5 trillion next year ($1.302 trillion euros), according to documents released by the executive branch, which will require a vote in Congress.
If the predominantly Republican-controlled legislative body approves the proposal, it would mark a record in recent history for the world’s leading superpower. The increase amounts to $445 billion compared to the defense budget set for 2026.
This defense budget proposal comes amid the Middle East war entering its sixth week. The military operation is estimated to cost up to $2 billion per day for Americans, as reported by the American press.
The Peter G. Peterson research institute identified in 2024 the countries with the highest military spending, with America’s outweighing the combined total of the nine states following it in the ranking. “And now Trump wants us to spend alone more than the 34 countries following us,” criticized Democratic lawmaker Mark Pocan.
Cuts in healthcare and development aid
Non-military spending, on the other hand, is set to decrease overall by 10% in 2027, as confirmed by the U.S. executive. Some social, educational, and health-related expenses are significantly reduced in this budget plan orchestrated by budget director Russel Vought.
The plan applies the principles outlined in the ultraconservative “Project 2025,” of which Vought was the mastermind. In his plans, the main public medical research agency, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sees its budget cut by $5 billion.
Development aid projects or humanitarian assistance also face significant budget cuts. Reductions are also planned in several programs that the White House accuses of promoting progressive approaches on gender, a concept rejected by the American far right, racial or sexual discrimination, challenged by the American executive, and climate change, which Donald Trump denies.
Trump, on the other hand, plans to significantly increase spending related to his anti-immigration policies, as well as other security missions. For example, the White House requests $152 million for next year for the reopening project of the famous Alcatraz prison, cherished by the American president.
Difficult legislative journey
The legislative process is expected to be challenging, especially with the midterm elections scheduled for November. Some Republicans in Donald Trump’s camp are wary of a budget proposal that does little to alleviate the heavy burden of America’s public debt, which already surpasses $39 trillion. A Republican senator has already announced opposition to the project for constitutional reasons.
“I support the measures taken by the president to defend our national security interests in the Middle East. But we must keep our eyes wide open to history and the Constitution,” wrote Senator John Curtis of Utah. “While I support maintaining our state of readiness and replenishing our stocks, I cannot approve funding for new military operations without an official declaration of war from Congress.”
Representatives of the Democratic opposition, hoping to regain control of Congress in the November elections, have also criticized the executive’s request. “Americans want healthcare spending, not war spending,” protested Democratic lawmakers in the House of Representatives, which, along with the Senate, makes up the U.S. Parliament.
