This legislative ask is designed to be shared with your members of Congress and their staff.
As Congress negotiates the budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2026 and beyond, President Trump and some in Congress are proposing significant cuts to non-defense spending while further inflating the already bloated Pentagon budget. If Congress continues to overfund the Pentagon at the expense of non-defense programs, issues that affect Americans most directly—including homelessness, extreme weather, economic development, child poverty, and education—will be neglected. Peace, justice, and equity at home and abroad must take precedence over weapons, war, and tax cuts for the super-rich.
Non-defense discretionary spending (NDD) pays for housing assistance, education, climate adaptation, refuge for asylum seekers, and much more. Despite the immense need for these programs, NDD is often the target of cuts to “balance the budget.” If lawmakers are concerned about the national debt and want to cut federal spending, there’s a better place to trim: the bloated Pentagon budget. Congress must not cut peace and justice programs, such as housing and education, to fund weapons and war.
Reject Harmful Budget Cuts to Non-Defense Discretionary Spending in the FY26 Budget Resolution.
Congress must reject harmful cuts to non-defense discretionary spending and any increases in Pentagon spending.
-
Cuts to NDD spending will harm communities at home and abroad by limiting federal investments that support people’s critical needs and alleviate their suffering.
-
NDD accounts support the most vulnerable among us by providing housing assistance, climate adaptation, child poverty reduction, education access, peacebuilding, and more.