A report from the independent, nonpartisan policy institute Center for American Progress (CAP) maintains the proposed fiscal year 2021 defense budget should more than adequately offer national security protections.
CAP officials said the analysis offers eight reasons why the $740 billion defense spending plan should be sufficient if it is spent wisely. An example provided by CAP stated that the cost of wars in the Middle East would decrease as the nation reduces the number of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Per the CAP, President Donald Trump’s first three budgets called for spending on defense to rise by almost $100 billion.
CAP officials said in addition to earmarking more funding for non-defense agencies contributing to national security, the organization is recommending the government steer more funds into the nation’s infrastructure rather than purchasing new destabilizing nuclear weapons, large aircraft carriers, and fighters.
Officials said adhering to the recommendations would create more jobs than defense spending while also reflecting a needed shift in priorities.
The CAP report maintains the gap between what America and other countries spend on defense has widened considerably, adding when measured at market exchange rates, the United States was spending more on defense than the next seven nations in the world combined. According to the most recent estimates, U.S. defense spending may now exceed that of the next 13 nations combined.