A draft fiscal year 2020 budget resolution released by Senate Budget Committee leaders Friday would allocate $643 billion for defense spending, far short of the administration’s request of $750 billion but within budget caps put in place for next year by the Budget Control Act.
The resolution prioritizes reducing deficit spending over the next five years, according to a summary provided by the committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.).
It would allow spending at the administration-requested level if the president signs a law formally removing the spending caps, CQ reported.
The House, meanwhile, may skip a budget resolution – which is not legally binding – and instead focus on a deal to address the caps.
“The biggest budget issue Congress faces this year is the need to raise the discretionary budget caps,” House Budget Committee spokesman Sam Lau told The Hill.
Democratic House leaders are considering a spending outline that would allocate $733 billion for defense, according to CQ.
Navy photo of Sen. Mike Enzi by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joe Rullo
Snap of the Week
Naval Academy plebes climb the Herndon Monument, a tradition symbolizing the successful completion of the midshipmen’s freshman year. The class of 2027 completed the climb in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey
