By Peter John

US President Donald Trump has asked Congress to approve a huge $1.5 trillion (about KSh 194.7 trillion) defence budget for 2027, citing rising costs from the ongoing war with Iran and growing global security demands.

The proposal would increase Pentagon spending by more than 40 percent in just one year—one of the largest jumps in US military spending in decades.

The government says the extra money is needed to support military operations and replace weapons being used in the conflict.

Reports from US media suggest the war with Iran could be costing up to $2 billion per day, putting heavy pressure on government finances.

To help pay for the increase, Trump has предложed cutting about $73 billion from non-defence programs.

These cuts would affect areas such as social services, with the president arguing that some responsibilities—like healthcare and childcare—should be handled by state governments instead of the federal government.

The proposal has already sparked strong political debate. Democrats, including Senator Patty Murray, criticised the plan, saying it puts too much focus on military spending while ignoring the needs of ordinary Americans.

She accused the president of prioritising “reckless foreign wars” over support for families.

The White House released the proposal as part of a wider budget plan, but it is not final. Congress will now review it and has the power to change or reject it.

Trump wants most of the defence budget—over $1.1 trillion—approved through the normal process. He is also pushing for an extra $350 billion to be passed through a special method that would not require support from Democrats.

Some Republicans support the plan, saying stronger military funding will improve national security. Lawmakers like Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers believe the increase will help strengthen the US and its allies.

However, others are worried about the country’s growing debt.

The US already has a national debt of more than $39 trillion and yearly budget deficits close to $2 trillion. Critics warn that such a large increase in spending could make the financial situation worse.

There are also concerns from both parties about the lack of clear details on how long the Iran war will last and how much it will ultimately cost.

In addition to defence, the plan includes more funding for law enforcement, with over $40 billion proposed for the Justice Department.

As Congress begins discussions, lawmakers will have to balance the need for military funding with concerns about rising debt and cuts to domestic programs.