Story perspectives

Schumer Blames GOP Over $6 B Defense Gap, $1.8 B Fund

7/14/2026

Center

Schumer Slams Spending

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused Senate Republicans of pushing a lopsided spending plan that favors defense and threatens families.
The Senate appropriations process stalled after Chair Susan Collins postponed the markup while Republican leader Mitch McConnell remained hospitalized.
Schumer urged Republicans to block the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund he called a MAGA slush-fund.
Pentagon officials warned that without a $6 billion supplement training, operations and personnel could face cuts.

Left

Scientists Oppose Rule

Scientists and advocacy groups filed 280,000 comments, opposing the grant rule and warning it would cripple collaborations and DEI work.
President Donald Trump proposed a White House rule allowing political appointees to cancel or reshape any federal research grant.
Defense analysts warned the federal research budget squeeze is already severe.
Senators Susan Collins and Jake Auchincloss urged rescinding the rule, warning damage to communities, innovation.

History

Historical Context

After the 2011 Budget Control Act triggered automatic sequestration, Congress delayed the first cuts to March 1 2013, imposing roughly $85.4 billion in across-the-board reductions split evenly between defense and non-defense programs. The cuts shaved about $42 billion from defense outlays and trimmed research funding, prompting later bipartisan deals. Today Senators Chuck Schumer and Susan Collins dispute a new anti-weaponization proposal, echoing the 2013 budget standoff.

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Schumer Slams Spending

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer accused Senate Republicans of pushing a lopsided spending plan that favors defense and threatens families.
The Senate appropriations process stalled after Chair Susan Collins postponed the markup while Republican leader Mitch McConnell remained hospitalized.
Schumer urged Republicans to block the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund he called a MAGA slush-fund.
Pentagon officials warned that without a $6 billion supplement training, operations and personnel could face cuts.

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