In a recent government meeting, members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) discussed the urgent need for increased funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) in light of evolving global threats. The commission emphasized that the current defense budget is insufficient to address the complexities posed by adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, as well as emerging challenges from smaller groups like the Houthis.

The commission's report calls for Congress to pass a fiscal year 2024 defense supplemental to initiate a multiyear investment aimed at revitalizing the defense industrial base and enhancing military innovation. It advocates for sustained budget growth of 3 to 5% above inflation in subsequent years to ensure the military is adequately resourced.

Committee members acknowledged the necessity of communicating these needs to the American public, stressing that failing to invest in national defense could lead to catastrophic consequences. They highlighted the importance of a strategic approach to budgeting, suggesting a shift from a requirements-based to a problems-based budgeting process to maximize the effectiveness of defense spending.

Concerns were raised about the current defense budget being the lowest as a percentage of GDP since World War II, coupled with the unprecedented national debt exceeding $33 trillion. The committee members underscored the importance of passing an appropriations bill to avoid a continuing resolution that would freeze defense spending and hinder new initiatives.

The meeting also featured testimony from the National Defense Strategy (NDS) commission, which unanimously concluded that the current NDS is outdated, particularly following significant geopolitical events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the recent attacks in Israel. The commission's chair, Jane Harmon, emphasized the need for public awareness regarding the urgency of defense funding and the necessity of raising revenue to support budget increases rather than relying on deficit spending.

As the committee prepares to address these pressing issues, the focus remains on ensuring that the U.S. military is equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global landscape.