“We're going to be approving a budget, and I'm proud to say, actually, the biggest one we've ever done for the military... $1 trillion. Nobody has seen anything like it. We are getting a very, very powerful military.”

“This will allow us to build the ‘Dream Military’ that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe.”

“…making our military once again into the most lethal, badass force on the planet to keep our country safe.”

“In every war game, he or she who moves second is guaranteed to lose.”

“The men and women we trust to lead our military have made it abundantly clear: The status quo in defense funding – let alone the further instability that would result from our failure to reach an agreement – is handicapping our servicemembers.”

“China has been the biggest driver of those figures. As the Chinese economy expanded at double-digit rates and Beijing began asserting its position as a great power, the country's defense spending rose almost sevenfold in real terms to $310.8 billion in 2025 from $43 billion in 2000.”

“Beijing has prioritized capabilities to erode America's military advantages on land, at sea, in the air, and in space. China wants nothing less than to push the United States of America from the Western Pacific...”

“People’s Republic of China remains our No. 1 long-term geostrategic security challenge. China’s actions are moving it down the path toward confrontation and potential conflict with its neighbors—and possibly with the United States. But again, I say: war with China is neither inevitable nor imminent.”