Trump's Budget: Massive Defense Boost, Deep Cuts

0:00It's April 3rd. You're listening to Anchorage News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. The Trump administration just dropped its fiscal 2027 budget request, pushing for a 43% jump in defense spending to 1.5 trillion dollars while slashing non-defense programs by 10% overall. That's a $445 billion boost for the Pentagon alone, split between regular bills and a partisan reconciliation package. 2. They want more cash for key spots, like energy up 10% to 53.9 billion, just as 13% higher at 40.8 billion, and veterans affairs. 9% more to 144.9 billion. On the flip side, deep cuts hit places like the EPA down 52%. To 4.2 billion, health and human services off 12.5% to 111.1 billion. In education trimmed 2.9%, lawmakers are already pushing back.

1:05Senate appropriations chair Susan Collins called out cuts to biomedical research, and programs like lay high up for low income heating bills, though she backs more Navy ships to counter China. Democrats like Patty Murray slammed it as bleak, saying it trades medical research for endless wars, and Betty McCollum questioned if the Pentagon even spends his current funds wisely. Other moves include privatizing TSA screening at small airports for savings, 1.7 billion extra for prisons with cash to reopen Alcatraz, NASA slashed 23% to 18.8 billion to shift to private space stations, and 10 billion for DC upgrades. This kicks off months of Hill battles before October 1st, echoing last year's shutdown drama, but expect Congress to carve its own path with, bipartisan tweaks on the big