Biden Defense Budget Gives China Upper Hand, Republican Hawks Say
Budget proposal could force Navy to cut 11 battle-ready boats
A U.S. Navy exercise / Getty Images Jack Beyrer • June 5, 2021 5:00 am
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President Joe Biden's $6 trillion budget proposal puts money toward universal pre-K and cracking down on the fossil fuel industry but shrinks the Navy's budget for weapons procurement and building warships, leaving it at severe risk in a potential showdown with China.
The Biden budget—released on the eve of Memorial Day weekend—makes major cuts to the Navy in some of its most needed areas, such as building equipment and training sailors. The Navy will need to reckon with a more than 5 percent drop in shipbuilding dollars and the decommissioning of 11 combat-ready ships, including 4 advanced warships.