Sen. Mark Kelly Blasts $1.5 Trillion Pentagon Budget Request
Sen. Mark Kelly on Sunday called the administration's $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 Pentagon budget request "outrageous" during an appearance on Face the Nation.[1]
He said the proposal would raise defense spending about 42% from 2026 levels and roughly double the Pentagon budget from when he joined the Senate.[1] He singled out funding for a space-based "Golden Dome" missile defense system, saying it is unlikely to work despite its high cost.[1] He also said a separate supplemental request expected to cover Iran war costs may total about $50 billion and warned that U.S. munitions stockpiles are "shockingly" depleted.[1]
The fiscal 2027 request and the expected wartime supplemental are now facing scrutiny from lawmakers who must weigh the proposed topline increase against readiness shortfalls and the costs of new programs.[1] Kelly's comments frame a debate over whether Congress should approve large new investments in systems such as the Golden Dome while munitions and other supplies remain thin.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Sen. Mark Kelly called the administration’s $1.5 trillion FY 2027 defense budget request "outrageous" on 'Face the Nation.'
- The proposal would raise defense spending about 42% from 2026 levels and roughly double what Kelly says the Pentagon budget was when he joined the Senate.
- Kelly specifically criticized funding for a space-based 'Golden Dome' missile defense system, saying it is unlikely to work despite high cost.
- He said a separate supplemental request is expected to cover Iran war costs, which internal assessments suggest may reach about $50 billion, and warned U.S. munitions stockpiles are "shocking[ly]" depleted.
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