After adjusting for inflation, the overall trend in base U.S. defense spending has increased since 2001. Since the end of the war in Iraq, however, total spending has declined slightly and, over the last three years, the base budget has plateaued. This is largely due to spending caps put in place by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
Reports indicate, however, that the U.S. military is currently spending at least $7-10 million a day in its campaign against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. The President’s request of $59 billion for OCO was submitted prior to this campaign. For this reason, Congress may choose to appropriate at a higher level for FY15. Congress is divided, however, on whether there should be a separate vote to authorize the use of military force before providing any additional funding.
Read the full Defense Spending Request Briefing Book for FY 2015 here, and keep up with the latest decisions on our blog.
via Growth in U.S. Defense Spending Since 2001 | Center for Arms Control & Non-Proliferation.