This Is Not Security: How Military Spending Betrays American Needs
As House Republicans unveil the latest portion of what Donald Trump calls a “big, beautiful bill” that increases military spending, the message is loud and clear: prioritize military buildup over basic human needs. The Pentagon is slated to receive a staggering $150 billion under this proposal, including $8.5 billion in “quality-of-life” upgrades for service members and a yet-to-be-defined missile defense system called the “Golden Dome.” But at what cost?
This latest budget framework—championed by House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.)—proposes massive increases in military spending alongside tax cuts and government downsizing, all while Republicans eye $1.5 trillion in cuts to the very social programs that sustain millions of Americans: Medicaid, SNAP, housing assistance, and more. And they plan to pass this sweeping agenda without bipartisan support, using reconciliation to sidestep Senate rules.
Funding Militarism While Undermining Social Safety Nets
Proponents of the bill argue that it addresses legitimate needs within the armed forces, such as barracks restoration and housing allowances—long overdue investments. However, these efforts are embedded in a larger package that supercharges militarism, including:
- $34 billion for shipbuilding, adding submarines, destroyers, and amphibious assault ships.
- $25 billion for missile defense, including Trump’s unproven “Golden Dome” vision—an expansive and expensive initiative with no publicly available implementation plan.
- $5 billion for militarized border operations, including detaining migrants on military bases, using military aircraft for deportations, and constructing detention facilities.
This is not merely about supporting service members. It is about expanding the footprint of the military-industrial complex while draining public investment from education, healthcare, and economic justice—areas proven to foster long-term national and global security.
The Peace Economy Perspective Regarding Military Spending
At Peace Economy Project (PEP), we know that true security doesn’t come from missiles or militarized borders—it comes from ensuring that people have access to food, housing, healthcare, and education. These values are not just lofty ideals; they are grounded in the empirical truth that societies thrive when we invest in people, not weapons.
We reject the false choice between caring for service members and caring for civilians. Our country can—and must—do both. But Trump’s bill threatens to upend that balance, giving billions to weapons manufacturers and war contractors while targeting lifelines for working families.
A Call to Reduce Military Spending and Rethink National Priorities
This bill is more than a budget proposal. It is a roadmap for a nation hurtling toward deeper militarization at the expense of democracy, diplomacy, and dignity. With ballooning Pentagon budgets and a growing push for missile defense systems that enrich defense contractors but offer questionable returns on safety, we must ask:
- What could $25 billion for missile defense achieve if redirected to climate resilience, public housing, or universal childcare?
- How many lives could be improved if just a fraction of the Pentagon budget supported mental health care, school funding, or clean water?
Join the Fight for a Peace Economy
Now is the time to demand a new vision for national security—one that centers peace, justice, and equity. PEP will continue to oppose bloated military budgets that erode our communities. We urge policymakers and citizens alike to challenge the status quo and advocate for a just redistribution of national resources.
A militarized future is not inevitable. Together, we can build a peace economy.
