The House defense appropriations subcommittee meets Wednesday to mark up the fiscal year 2022 defense spending bill.

House Democrats have allocated $706 billion for DOD, according to topline allocations released Monday. That amount is slightly lower than the administration’s requested $715 billion.

Many progressives want to see a lower defense budget and are getting pushback from more moderate members of their caucus, who support the level in the president’s request.

“We believe this is a strong and sensible funding request, and we oppose calls to authorize or appropriate funding below this level,” leaders of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats wrote last week.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville will discuss the administration’s budget request before the House Armed Services Committee Tuesday morning.

Army National Guard photo by Capt. Joe Legros