Battle Creek Times

Last month, President Biden announced the specifics of his Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. However, numerous U.S. congressional leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, have publicly bashed the president for his national defense budget of $773 billion, with Republicans requesting Biden enhance the defense budget by 5% over the rate of inflation.

According to the news release by the White House, Biden’s request is due to issues centered on security and the economy at home and aboard.

"And this will be among the largest investments in our national security in history,” President Biden said. “Some people don’t like the increase, but we’re in a different world today. America is more prosperous, more successful, and more just when it is more secure."

The White House reported that the proposed budget hike would increase taxes on billionaires and corporations in order to ramp up military endeavors, address supply chain concerns and increase affordable housing.   

According to Fox News, Mike Rogers (R-AL), of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, has aligned with Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), of the Senate Armed Services Committee, to head Republican efforts to raise the defense budget by 5% over the rate of inflation, with all Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee noting that the country "cannot afford to shortchange" national security amid "unprecedented threats."

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) cautioned that Biden’s proposed defense budget is "at least a 4% cut in real dollar spending power," after adjusting "for the ‘official’ 8% inflation rate." Similarly, House Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who also sits on the committee, said the president’s budget "once again cuts the size of our military in the heart of a national security crisis," according to Fox News.

Jack Bergman (R-MI), who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and represents Michigan's 1st Congressional District, and Lisa McClain (R-MI), another committee member representing Michigan's 10th Congressional District, are two of the 28 Republican committee members asking Biden to reconsider his defense budget.

President Biden claimed the defense budget "will be among the largest investments in our national security in history" during his announcement, according to the White House.

Democrat Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA) tweeted her displeasure towards the budget: "I have delayed putting out a statement about the Defense Budget because frankly it would have been mostly full of words you might expect from a Sailor, but here goes: It sucks."