President Donald Trump on Friday unveiled his 2027 budget proposal requesting a record-shattering $1.5 trillion in defense spending , setting up what promises to be a fierce congressional battle over national priorities as lawmakers return from spring recess this month.

The 44% increase for the Pentagon would mark the largest defense budget in U.S. history while simultaneously proposing $73 billion in cuts to non-defense programs, a 10% reduction . The dramatic rebalancing reflects Trump’s emphasis on military strength over domestic programs as the administration wages war in Iran and prepares for long-term competition with China and Russia.

“President Trump promised to reinvest in America’s national security infrastructure, to make sure our nation is safe in a dangerous world,” Budget Director Russell Vought wrote in the 92-page document released Friday.

The proposal splits the defense funding across two tracks: $1.15 trillion through the regular appropriations process and an additional $350 billion through budget reconciliation , which would allow Republicans to bypass Democratic opposition in the Senate. If passed, it would mark the first time base defense spending has crossed the $1 trillion threshold .

Congressional reaction immediately broke along party lines. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, called Trump’s budget “morally bankrupt.”

“Our national defense budget should not be dictated by a president who is sending servicemembers into harm’s way in reckless foreign wars—and who woke up one day and decided to send his aides scrambling to figure out how on earth they could spend half a trillion dollars more, which the Pentagon can’t possibly spend responsibly,” Murray said.

Sen. Chris Coons, the ranking Democrat on defense appropriations, called the proposal evidence that “Trump and Secretary Hegseth are in way over their heads.”

“It seems the real reason for this $1.5 trillion request is that the president thought of the highest number he could fathom and then tweeted it,” Coons said in a statement.

Republicans, however, praised the historic topline. “America is facing the most dangerous global environment since World War II,” said Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, the chairs of the armed services committees. “It is essential to America’s national security that Congress provides the right resources, in terms of both quality and quantity, to confront the threats we face today and tomorrow,” said Rep. Ken Calvert of California, chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.

The budget arrives as Congress remains deadlocked over funding the Department of Homeland Security, with a 49-day partial shutdown continuing despite Republican leadership announcing plans to end the impasse. GOP leaders indicated they do not expect to recall lawmakers from spring recess early, with members due back April 14 .

Trump’s defense priorities include construction of his planned “Golden Dome” missile defense system and initial funding for a Trump-class battleship as part of his “Golden Fleet” . The budget proposes $65.8 billion for shipbuilding and hefty raises of between 5% and 7% for military personnel .

The domestic cuts target multiple agencies and programs. The budget calls for $5 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health, saying NIH “broke the trust of the American people,” and $768 million in cuts to refugee resettlement and $819 million in cuts to the Unaccompanied Alien Children program .

The proposal’s fiscal math relies on optimistic economic projections. The budget assumes annual real GDP growth of 2.9% indefinitely — more than a full percentage point higher than the Congressional Budget Office’s 1.8% long-term forecast . Notably, the document omits data on expected deficits and debt levels, information regularly published in previous presidents’ budgets .

The administration’s strategy faces significant hurdles in Congress. Most agency-level spending requires 60 Senate votes , giving Democrats substantial leverage. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will “fight this budget, tooth and nail.”

Even the reconciliation component faces challenges. Republicans must secure nearly all GOP legislators due to razor-thin majorities in both chambers . Sen. Mitch McConnell, who chairs the Senate defense appropriations subcommittee, warned that reconciliation funding “cannot replace” the annual appropriations process .

The budget debate unfolds against a backdrop of fiscal strain. The nation runs nearly $