As members of Congress get their first good look at President Joe Biden’s proposed budget for 2023, economic, defense, and energy concerns are taking center stage.
Facing war in Europe and economic tensions at home, compounded by high energy costs, the budget reflects the most pressing issues of the moment. In their initial reactions, Democrats emphasized the economic benefits of the budget, saying it will help working-class people affected by inflation. On the other side, Republicans haven’t balked at the increase in defense spending.
In light of the heightened tension between Russia and the West, some Republicans said they could see the defense provisions pass with their party’s support, though with some revisions. Biden’s proposal would increase defense spending by $31 billion.
BIDEN’S BUDGET WILL DECREASE DEFICIT BY $1.3 TRILLION IN 2023, WHITE HOUSE CLAIMS
“I think you will see Republicans increase the Department of Defense spending, and increase spending on F-35 programs that have gotten decimated during the Obama administration,” said Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube. “On the DoD side, we will use the appropriation process to do away with this woke ideology that they’re infiltrating into our service members, requiring them to get vaccines and kicking them out of service because they refuse to get a vaccine.”
The situation in Ukraine has brought national defense to the forefront, with Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana saying the present “circumstances dictate that you’ve got to properly prioritize national security.”
“We certainly believe that a number higher than that was justified because of this,” Johnson said. “My hope is that we don’t have a lot of vigorous debate about the obvious assumption that we have to invest wisely, we have to invest in a smart way. We’re going to need to adequately fund the Defense Department, period.”
Sen. James Risch, an Idaho Republican, said that despite the bolstered defense budget, the investments in foreign climate policies wouldn’t help safety at home.
“[It] substantially decreases international security assistance at a time when our allies are under direct attack,” said Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Focusing on climate policies is not going to stop malign actions from countries like Russia, China, and Iran.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chairwoman of the Progressive Caucus, criticized the increase in defense spending, saying the money would be better used at home.
We do not need to raise the defense budget by another $31 billion.
It’s time to make investments into our communities — not into a defense budget that is already larger than the next 11 countries combined. pic.twitter.com/2nUpMpNt6E
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) March 28, 2022
Progressives were happier with a proposed 20% income tax on households with incomes over $100 million per year, which the administration said could be used to cut the deficit over the next 10 years.
“With the proposed minimum tax on the wealthiest Americans, this plan will help fight inflation and cut costs for working families while growing the workforce, continuing to rebuild our roads, bridges, and airports, and combating climate change,” said Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro.
Michigan’s Andy Levin concurred, saying the tax is something that should have been implemented “decades ago.”
“We cannot sit back and watch while workers struggle and the wealthiest 1% add to their yacht funds,” he tweeted.
Some members dismissed the proposed budget wholesale or pointed out critical missing policy pieces. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona called out decreases in border security.
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The White House’s FY 2023 budget request to Congress today does nothing to address illegal immigration.
This proposal decreases detention space, does not restore the ‘Remain in Mexico’ program, and decreases ICE’s enforcement and removal operations funding.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) March 28, 2022
The budget, which distills the administration’s goals, is at the mercy of the Legislature. In the absence of coronavirus relief spending, it would decrease the deficit. Congress will create a budget that may or may not prioritize what the president asked for.
“This budget submission from the President shows he has learned nothing over the past year — nothing about how his policies have failed the American people — and he intends to double down on those very policies,” said Rep. Jason Smith, ranking member of the House Budget Committee. “This budget deliberately makes every crisis he created worse.”
