Appropriators add billions to Pentagon’s budget to address shortfalls and accounting errors.
Senate appropriators passed their $852.5 billion defense spending bill for fiscal 2026, increasing the Pentagon’s topline by $21.7 billion to bolster munitions, shipbuilding accounts, and correct billions in accounting errors.
Bipartisan Support, Chaotic Process
The bill passed with a 26-3 vote, teeing up a battle between the Senate Appropriations Committee and its House counterpart, which adhered to the Pentagon’s flat $831.5 billion budget request. Sen. Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee, said the bill came together without „significant difficulties” but that the overall process, including the committee’s engagement with the administration, was “chaotic at best.”
Pentagon’s „Mistakes” Addressed
Senior Senate aides detailed that the Pentagon requested about $10 billion in „misaligned funds” in mid-July that it expected in the reconciliation bill but didn’t request in the FY26 budget. These included nearly $2 billion for advanced procurement of a Columbia-class submarine and $2.6 billion for two Virginia-class submarines. The Pentagon also raised concerns about munitions shortfalls due to operations against the Houthis in Yemen and Operation Midnight Hammer.
Shipbuilding and Munitions Get a Boost
The bulk of the $21 billion boost went to plugging holes in shipbuilding and munitions. Shipbuilding received an increase of almost $8.7 billion, though much of that money went to „fix” budget issues. Munitions accounts increased by $7.3 billion, with $5.2 billion for additional munitions production and $2.1 billion for munitions facilities.
Other Key Investments
The Senate committee also included $4.6 billion for air and missile defense, with $2 billion going to Army next-generation air defense capabilities.
Ukraine Funding and Program Restorations
Senate appropriators included over $1 billion of combined funding for Kyiv and to boost US investments in the European theater, including $800 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The Senate bill also reinstates funding for the Navy’s sixth-generation F/A-XX fighter, adding $1.4 billion, and reverses the cancellation of the Air Force’s E-7 Wedgetail program by adding $647 million.
Army Programs Additions
The Senate appropriators assented to the Army’s decision to cancel the M10 Booker light tank program, however it made several additions to Army helicopter accounts including $360 million for 12 remanufactured Apaches and $175 million to keep the Improved Engine Turbine Program going. An increase of almost $220 million would go to buy 15 Abrams tanks.
Other Notable Provisions
The bill adds $1.5 billion for eight C-130Js for the Air National Guard and $619 million for two additional EC-37Bs Compass Call aircraft. Lawmakers increased funding for THAAD interceptors by $923 million and added $216 million for drone and counter-drone technologies.
Bipartisan Pushback on Budget Process
Senate lawmakers stressed the importance of getting the appropriations process back to regular order instead of green-lighting another full-year continuing resolution (CR). Coons called out Office of Management and Budget director Russ Vought for undermining Congress.
Looming Deadline
Congress will be under pressure to reconcile the House and Senate defense bills before government spending expires on Sept. 30.
