‘Safe to conclude’ Senior GOP senators raise alarm over defense funding in reconciliation bill

WASHINGTON, DC: Two senior Republican Senators, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell, on Tuesday, June 9, indicated that Congress is unlikely to approve the defence spending as part of the third reconciliation bill.

The duo suggested that the Pentagon and the White House not assume Congress will approve another massive budget package later, advising them to fund defense priorities through the normal appropriations process instead.

Collins urges Pentagon to secure base funding

During a Senate hearing on the Air Force’s budget request for fiscal year 2027, Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) questioned Air Force Secretary Troy Meink over what she described as inadequate funding for several programs.

Collins argued that the administration appeared to be counting on a third budget reconciliation package to make up the shortfall, despite growing doubts on Capitol Hill that another such bill would be approved.

Reconciliation allows the Senate majority to pass budget-related legislation with a simple majority vote, bypassing the 60-vote filibuster threshold, but lawmakers have warned that the process is both politically and procedurally difficult.

“I would just suggest that it is taking a terrible risk and creates instability when you’re counting on a third reconciliation bill for the bulk of the money rather than doing base funding through the defense appropriations bill,” Collins said.

Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chair Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), who is retiring at the end of the year but has been a leader of the Republican Party, cast doubt on the future of the third reconciliation bill as well.

“I think it’s safe to conclude there will not be another reconciliation bill, so it’s really not an option,” McConnell said.

“I agree with that assessment,” Collins replied.

Republicans used two reconciliation bills

Senate Republicans have already passed two reconciliation packages since regaining the majority, including a recent slimmed-down measure aimed at boosting funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol.

Some GOP lawmakers have floated the idea of pursuing a third reconciliation bill focused on affordability measures, reducing fraud in social programs and advancing other White House priorities.

The administration has also proposed funding roughly $350 million of its spending request through reconciliation, about a quarter of the total amount sought.

Collins, however, has repeatedly expressed skepticism about relying on reconciliation instead of the traditional appropriations process, which moves through her committee and typically requires bipartisan support.