US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday called on Congress to approve the Trump administration’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget, saying full funding would provide a lasting tribute to the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Hegseth made the remarks at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina, which the US Air Force is renaming in honor of Graham, who died last month. He described the proposed spending package as a “historic” investment.
He said the War Department was seeking a major generational investment of $1.5 trillion for US military personnel, using the Trump administration’s preferred name for the Defense Department.
According to Hegseth, Graham had described the proposal as the best military budget he had seen during his time in Congress.
Hegseth said renaming the base honors Graham but argued that approving the full defense package would provide a greater tribute to the late senator.
He said fully funding the military would represent one of Graham’s final major achievements and an important part of his legacy, highlighting his 33 years of military service.
Hegseth’s comments come as his broad defense spending proposal faces uncertainty in Congress. Senators left Washington for their summer recess last week without reaching an agreement on the central element of the administration’s defense agenda.
The $1.5 trillion proposal would substantially increase military spending and support several of President Donald Trump’s priorities, including developing a new class of battleships and advancing the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system.
Opponents of the legislation have criticized funding for the ongoing war on Iran, which they describe as illegal and unconstitutional. They have also argued that the proposed spending increases are unnecessary and wasteful, particularly as Americans face rising prices and a weak economy.
Despite Hegseth’s repeated visits to Capitol Hill and meetings with lawmakers, Republicans have not yet secured enough support to advance the record-setting proposal amid opposition from Democrats.
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