Senator Lindsey Graham, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, announced on Apr. 17 that he supports President Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion national defense budget for fiscal year 2027. The announcement came during a committee hearing where Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, testified about the administration’s spending plans.
Graham said increased defense funding is important in light of threats from U.S. adversaries and growing concerns about Chinese military actions. He emphasized the need for more investment in shipbuilding to ensure that the Navy can protect American interests.
During the hearing, Graham also discussed ongoing issues with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. He said there has been a lapse in DHS funding for over two months because Democrats have not agreed to allocate money to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In response, Graham said he plans to use budget reconciliation procedures to secure funds for these agencies despite opposition.
The hearing was part of regular oversight as Congress reviews annual federal budget proposals from the White House.
