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Defense Budget and Spending

The defense budget is the money Congress provides for the military and related national security work. The Department of Defense proposes how to use it, the president submits a budget request, and Congress decides what to approve. It pays for people, weapons, operations, research, and bases.

People usually ask how the budget process works, where the money goes, how spending compares with other priorities, what wars and operations cost, and who benefits from large contracts. Debates over how much to spend, and on what, are a constant part of the topic.

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October 10last updated

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Defense Budget and Spending

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