Speaking at Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina, which the US Air Force is renaming in Graham’s honor following his death last month, Hegseth described the proposed defense package as a “historic generational investment” in the US military, Anadolu Agency reported.
“As we gather here today, the War Department is seeking a historic generational investment of $1.5 trillion for America’s warriors,” Hegseth said, using the Trump administration’s preferred name for the Defense Department.
***
Hegseth said Graham, who served 33 years in the US military, had described the proposal to him as the best military budget he had seen during his time in Congress.
While the renaming of the military base honors Graham, Hegseth argued that Congress could make an even greater contribution to the senator’s legacy by approving the full spending package.
“Fully funding our warriors would be one last great accomplishment for Colonel Lindsey Graham and a major part of his legacy,” Hegseth said.
The push comes as the sweeping defense proposal faces uncertainty on Capitol Hill. Senators left Washington for their summer recess last week without reaching an agreement on the centerpiece of the administration’s defense agenda.
The $1.5 trillion proposal would significantly increase US military spending while advancing several of President Donald Trump’s priorities, including the development of a new class of battleships and the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system.
The plan has faced opposition from Democrats and other critics, who have challenged spending tied to the war in Iran and questioned whether the proposed increases are necessary amid economic pressures and rising costs facing Americans.
Despite Hegseth’s repeated meetings with lawmakers, Republicans have yet to secure enough support to overcome Democratic opposition and advance the record-setting defense spending package.
