When you hear the word “America”, what comes to mind? Some may say freedom, American football, or Donald Trump. But, how often does “military” come up? From a list which compiled the top words that people used to describe the United States, “military” ranked #30 - behind the more popular words “opportunity”, “diversity”, and “ignorant” (POV). This is an interesting detail considering the United States boasts the biggest military in the world and is notorious for its grandiose military budget. However, this was not always the case. After the 13 colonies’ formal succession from Britain on the infamous day of July 4th, 1776, the date when the Declaration of Independence was signed, America lacked a formal central government and, therefore, military,
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is no exception. Every year, Congress allocates a specific amount of funds towards each sector of government; this is known as discretionary spending. For instance, in 2015, the total amount of discretionary spending was $1.11 trillion - with military spending accounting for, by far, the largest amount, 53.87% or $598 billion (Koshgarian). In fact, this amount exceeds the combined costs of the next highest military spenders: China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the U.K., India, France, and Japan (Peterson). Since America’s official declaration of War on Terror, defense-related costs have increased exponentially. Currently, it is estimated that the United States has spent $4.493 trillion on military programs alone since 2001 (Koshgarian). As if this number is not startling in of itself, the government is attempting to raise this dollar amount even …show more content…
This means that it is not common for the same political party to hold majority control in the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the presidency at the same time. However, currently, this is the case. Since President Trump, a Republican, and his party, hold a majority control in the House and Senate, Congress is more likely to pass legislation written by the president. Aware of this, President Trump, and other members of his party, have been pushing to raise the defense budget cap set by law in 2011 and enacted by then-president, Barack Obama, known as the Budget Control Act of 2011. The Budget Control Act of 2011 consists of plans to cut $1 trillion from the projected defense spending over a 10 year period (Adesnik). However, if President Trump passes a policy that repeals the act, and raises the defense budget cap, not only will this lead to an even greater increase in the diversion and deprivation of funds from vital government programs and sectors, but it will hike up the already exorbitant national debt. In addition, since no real threat has been made towards the United States by another global superpower, an increase in military spending and presence may be counterproductive and, instead, escalate tensions
is no exception. Every year, Congress allocates a specific amount of funds towards each sector of government; this is known as discretionary spending. For instance, in 2015, the total amount of discretionary spending was $1.11 trillion - with military spending accounting for, by far, the largest amount, 53.87% or $598 billion (Koshgarian). In fact, this amount exceeds the combined costs of the next highest military spenders: China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the U.K., India, France, and Japan (Peterson). Since America’s official declaration of War on Terror, defense-related costs have increased exponentially. Currently, it is estimated that the United States has spent $4.493 trillion on military programs alone since 2001 (Koshgarian). As if this number is not startling in of itself, the government is attempting to raise this dollar amount even …show more content…
This means that it is not common for the same political party to hold majority control in the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the presidency at the same time. However, currently, this is the case. Since President Trump, a Republican, and his party, hold a majority control in the House and Senate, Congress is more likely to pass legislation written by the president. Aware of this, President Trump, and other members of his party, have been pushing to raise the defense budget cap set by law in 2011 and enacted by then-president, Barack Obama, known as the Budget Control Act of 2011. The Budget Control Act of 2011 consists of plans to cut $1 trillion from the projected defense spending over a 10 year period (Adesnik). However, if President Trump passes a policy that repeals the act, and raises the defense budget cap, not only will this lead to an even greater increase in the diversion and deprivation of funds from vital government programs and sectors, but it will hike up the already exorbitant national debt. In addition, since no real threat has been made towards the United States by another global superpower, an increase in military spending and presence may be counterproductive and, instead, escalate tensions