Pentagon appropriations, or spending, generally accounts for more than half of the discretionary budget, making it a critical issue for taxpayers. Each year, the President submits a budget request to Congress, and then Congress uses that request as a starting point to appropriate funds for the Pentagon through legislation known as the Defense Appropriations Act. While the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) technically authorizes spending for the Pentagon, the Defense Appropriations Act is what actually determines how money for the Pentagon will be spent. Congress routinely makes cuts and additions to the President’s budget request, often driving Pentagon spending higher than the request. Throughout this process, we advocate for transparency, accountability, and strategic prioritization to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used wisely.
