Congress approves substantial funding for Air Force and Space Force via Reconciliation Bill
In a significant development for the US military, the One Big Beautiful Bill, a tax-and-spending package aimed at modernizing and supporting various military branches, has passed the Senate. The bill, which includes increased defense spending, is set to have a positive impact on the budgets of the Air Force and Space Force.
The bill, aligned with President Trump’s "Peace Through Strength" agenda, offers funding for a range of defense initiatives, including personnel support such as housing allowances and childcare, naval shipbuilding, missile defense, weapons development, and nuclear forces. Notably, the bill funds the Golden Dome missile defense system, a key part of the defense modernization efforts [1].
For the Air Force and Space Force, the emphasis on missile defense and weapons modernization is likely to sustain or expand their funding. The Space Force, a relatively new branch heavily invested in space-based missile defense and advanced technology, stands to benefit significantly from these allocations. Similarly, the Air Force, which operates much of the missile defense and advanced weapons systems, is expected to see resources directed towards its modernization and operational capacity [4].
The bill includes a $150 billion package of defense funds, with nearly $39 billion of the $250 billion the Air Force and Space Force seek in 2026 coming from the reconciliation bill [5]. This could translate into increased funding for technology, equipment, and operational costs associated with missile defense and weapons development for these branches.
The bill's passage through the Senate marks a transformative measure for defense and other sectors. However, it faces headwinds as it returns to the House, where lawmakers will have to address concerns about the Senate's changes to the cap on state and local tax deductions and Medicaid reform, among others [6].
The Trump administration's $1 trillion defense spending request for 2026 includes the reconciliation bill as one piece. If the services get all the money they've asked for across both avenues, the Air Force would be $25.5 billion, or 14 percent, higher than in 2025 [7].
An amendment from Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), to prohibit the use of Defense Production Act funds without congressional approval, failed 42-58. The current status of the defense provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill is that it offers increased defense spending aimed at modernizing and supporting various military branches [4].
In conclusion, the One Big Beautiful Bill, if passed in its current form, could positively impact the budgets of the Air Force and Space Force through expanded funding for technology, equipment, and operational costs associated with missile defense and weapons development. The bill's journey through Congress continues, with lawmakers set to address concerns and debate its implications for the military and other sectors.
- The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill in the Senate could potentially increase funding for technology, equipment, and operational costs associated with missile defense and weapons development for both the Air Force and Space Force.
- The Space Force, a relatively new branch heavily invested in space-based missile defense and advanced technology, stands to benefit significantly from the funds allocated by the One Big Beautiful Bill.
- The Air Force, which operates many of the missile defense and advanced weapons systems, is expected to see resources directed towards its modernization and operational capacity, due to the One Big Beautiful Bill.
- The One Big Beautiful Bill, aligned with President Trump’s "Peace Through Strength" agenda, offers funding for defense initiatives such as missile defense, weapons development, naval shipbuilding, and nuclear forces, among others.
- The Pentagon's defense spending request for 2026, which includes the One Big Beautiful Bill, seeks an increase in funding for the Air Force and Space Force, potentially totaling $25.5 billion, or 14 percent, higher than in 2025.
