USA

McConnell hammers Hegseth over Pentagon funding plan, alienating allies

Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee Chairman Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday about the Trump administration’s flimsy plans to fund significant portions of the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion budget request and alienate U.S. allies amid several major conflicts around the world.

McConnell opposed putting key Pentagon programs such as the Golden Dome missile defense system, munitions, F-35 fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicle production in a separate reconciliation bill from the annual defense appropriations bill.

“Political realities do not always allow for party budget compromise, and if the department’s top priorities are not included in annual appropriations, we are actually running a huge risk,” McConnell said in his opening remarks during a panel hearing. “These grassroots efforts only work if we put them on solid financial footing.”

The Trump administration plans to fund the Pentagon budget for fiscal 2027 by allocating $1.1 trillion to the traditional appropriations request and adding $350 billion through reconciliation, a process that allows the current Republican majority to avoid any objections from Democrats.

But McConnell said that approach was weak, given that the GOP could lose its majority in the November election. Other Republicans have also expressed doubts about their ability to complete a third budget reconciliation bill this fall after using their second chance in the process on a bill narrowly tailored to fund immigration enforcement.

Those who allocate houses expressed similar concerns Earlier Tuesday, Hegseth testified before lawmakers for hours and was briefed on how the defense budget is structured.

McConnell also criticized President Trump for his alienation of traditional US allies, his defense of NATO, and his defense of Ukraine.

Trump announced earlier this month that he would withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany and threatened additional action over the growing disagreement with the German Chancellor. Friedrich Merz.

The president has frequently attacked U.S. allies for not entering the war in Iran or helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling those countries “cowards” and making veiled threats to withdraw Washington from the NATO military alliance.

McConnell told Hegseth that tense relations with U.S. partners and allies “only serve the interests of our adversaries and limit our capacity and deterrent power globally.”

“I want to hear about the future of capacity building with committed allies and partners,” he added.

He also made clear that he wanted the US lethal aid previously approved for Ukraine to “arrive at its destination without further delay.”

McConnell became a leading proponent of Congress’ $400 million earmarked for Ukraine at the beginning of the year, calling on the Pentagon to withhold the funds in an April 28 editorial. Washington Post.

“I want to emphasize that this is not charity. When our partners are capable, deterrence is stronger and the risk to our own service members is lower,” McConnell said Tuesday.

“The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East clearly show that we have something to learn from our friends.”

Head to The Hill for the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video.