White House requests $715 billion for Pentagon in 2022, holding DoD spending essentially flat
“We certainly hope people look at the full scope here,” an administration official told reporters on a call previewing the request. “The focus will be on investments on non-defense but also ensuring the Defense Department can continue its strategic goals as we out-compete China and as we ensure that the men and women in uniform have everything that they need.” A “large chunk” of the defense increase will go toward a pay increase for troops, the official said. Liberal members of Congress, meanwhile, have pressed Mr. Biden to slash the Pentagon budget by at least 10%. The initial ou...