Can Congress pass a FY26 defense budget this year? Here are 12 key issues for lawmakers.
As Congress returns from August recess, Breaking Defense examined how each defense committee is looking at a dozen major programs, from Golden Dome to F/A-XX to the cancellation of the E-7 Wedgetail.
WASHINGTON — Congressional defense hawks in the Senate are once again pushing to boost the topline of the defense budget in fiscal 2026, but as lawmakers return to Capitol Hill in September, they will have to face an even more pressing question: Will they be able to pass a full-year spending bill at all?
Congress failed at passing FY25 appropriations after talks between Republicans and Democrats broke down, resulting in the approval of a full year continuing resolution in March. The bill marked the first time the Defense Department will have been funded under a CR for an entire year.
This year, the budget process has been even more tumultuous — even with Republican control of both the House and the Senate — raising questions about whether the Pentagon is heading toward another full-year funding extension.
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/08/can-congress-pass-a-fy26-defense-budget-this-year-here-are-12-key-issues-for-lawmakers/
