Mark Kelly Says 46% Defense Budget Increase Is ‘Irresponsible And Ridiculous’ As Americans Struggle With Rising Costs

by | Apr 9, 2026 | General

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) criticized a proposed 46% increase in the U.S. defense budget, calling it reckless at a time when many Americans are struggling with rising living costs.

Kelly Questions Military Spending Surge

On Wednesday, Kelly posted on X, “Since being elected to the Senate, I’ve been supportive of a strong defense budget, but a 46% increase when Americans are struggling to pay for groceries and utilities is irresponsible and ridiculous.”

He added that simply spending more money does not automatically make the country safer.

Kelly emphasized the need for strategic planning and smart investment in military capabilities rather than unchecked spending.

“We can protect ourselves by having the right capabilities, not just adding money for things that are very expensive and won’t work,” he said.

Kelly also criticized the nation’s growing debt, blaming President Donald Trump’s policies for exacerbating fiscal challenges.

He said, “We have an unsustainable debt level and Trump has made it much worse. Tax cuts for the rich and a rapidly ballooning defense budget is going to quickly turn into a fiscal crisis that hurts Americans even more.”

Trump’s Military Budget Faces Criticism Over Domestic Cuts

Earlier, Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) criticized President Trump’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget, saying it prioritized military spending over programs for American families.

Buttigieg said, “It takes more of your money for foreign wars, while making life in America even more unaffordable.“

Warren warned the $1 trillion-plus military plan “made life harder for families” and neglected American needs.

The plan would raise defense funding to $1.5 trillion, a 44% increase, while cutting health care, education, housing, and climate programs.

The budget also proposed steep cuts to major federal agencies, including Agriculture, Health, and the Environmental Protection Agency, while boosting funding for immigration enforcement, the Justice Department and a $10 billion D.C. infrastructure project. Social Security and Medicare were left untouched.

Critics said the proposal shifted resources from domestic needs to military priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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