Over the past year, the increase in military spending worldwide … has been enormous: let us not call “defense” a rearmament that increases tensions and insecurity, depletes investment in education and health, undermines trust in diplomacy, and enriches elites who care nothing for the common good. —Pope Leo XIV, address to Sapienza University, May 2026
The following alert is shared from our colleagues with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027 (FY27) is coming before Congress beginning next week. This bill sets a budget for military spending for one year, and President Trump’s proposal is that it increase by more than half, from just under a trillion in FY26 to over $1.5 trillion for the coming year.
This spending comes at the same time as enormous cuts in spending on domestic human needs like health care, housing, food, and climate and outlandish increases in immigration enforcement. The bill includes a section to remove funding for Israel in the current form, which requires Congressional oversight, and instead to merge technology and other capacities of the US and Israeli militaries. There is also an effort to include the SAVE America Act that would strip voting rights from millions of US citizens.
The good news is that this bill has stirred discussion and objection in Congress. The NDAA usually passes with strong bipartisan support, approving the annual Pentagon budget with all the president requested and more. There is room for advocacy to make a change, and every member of Congress needs to hear from their constituents. The Senate will likely be presented with this bill next week, on or soon after Monday, July 13. If 41 senators vote against the bill, it will be unable to progress through the filibuster and send the message that these provisions are unacceptable; the bill would have to be thoroughly renegotiated. Every senator matters, and your message could make the difference.
Please use this language as a basis for your message:
As your constituent and a person of faith, I urge you to vote against President Trump’s request for a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget. I urge you to oppose any increase to the Pentagon budget for 2027, to vote YES on any amendment to cut that budget, and if those amendments do not pass, to vote NO on the NDAA.
This dramatic and irresponsible increase comes at the cost of making our own people suffer. Already, more than a trillion dollars has been cut from funds for basic needs like healthcare and food assistance, with more cuts proposed for housing, education, climate resilience, and energy. I also urge you to oppose every effort to include the SAVE America Act or similar restrictions of voting rights in the NDAA. We need to do better for our neighbors here in the US.
I also ask you to reject the section in the NDAA that calls for a closer partnership between the Pentagon and the Israeli military, removing traditional funding practices that require congressional oversight, particularly given Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Congress needs to stop giving a blank check for endless wars. Please do all you can to oppose any increase in Pentagon funding and to work for cuts in the Pentagon budget. This money should be invested in meeting basic needs in our communities. I look forward to seeing you vote to the benefit of your constituents. I will take note of your decision as I plan my votes in the upcoming election.
Find contact information for your senators at this link.
>>Given the urgency, please consider the extra step of also calling your elected officials via the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121; ask to be connected to your elected officials, and deliver the same message.
“My name is ____________ and I am calling from (CITY, STATE).
I am calling to urge Senator / Representative (NAME) to vote against President Trump’s request for a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget.
I urge you to VOTE AGAINST any increase to the Pentagon budget.
I urge you to VOTE FOR CUTS to the Pentagon budget.
Trump has already cut over a trillion dollars from funds for healthcare and food assistance. He is also cutting funding for education and climate action. He is using this money to dramatically increase funding for the Pentagon.
Please oppose Trump’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget and oppose any increase in Pentagon funding this year. This money should be invested in meeting basic needs in our communities.
Thank you.”