Trump asks Congress cut billions in nondefense spending; up funds for military, border

Members of the Sunrise Movement and other protesters gathered outside the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., in March to oppose the proposed cuts to federal programs by the Trump administration. President Donald Trump unveiled the White House budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 on Friday, which includes reductions in foreign aid, education, and healthcare, while increasing funding for the military and border security. The budget aims to decrease spending by $163 billion and reduce the base nondefense discretionary budget authority by 22.6%.

In a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Trump outlined the budget proposal. The plan includes cuts to agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Institutes of Health, with significant reductions in funding compared to previous years. The Department of Homeland Security, on the other hand, is set to receive a substantial $175 billion investment to enhance border security.

The administration also plans to boost defense spending by 13%, reaching $1.01 trillion. Vought stated that the proposed funding levels were determined after a thorough review of the Fiscal Year 2025 spending, which was deemed excessive and not aligned with the needs of average Americans. The budget also aims to reassess whether certain services could be better provided by state or local governments.

While the budget request includes $325 billion in assumed increases, it is subject to approval by Congress through the reconciliation process. The final appropriations bills, which become law, will be crafted by congressional appropriators. The proposed budget reflects the administration’s priorities, indicating a strong focus on security and defense. With both houses of Congress under Republican control, the Trump administration aims to leverage this advantage to secure the budget increases without Democratic support.