The president recently pledged the first ever $1 trillion defense budget. Congress, meanwhile, is working off the same script as they work to pass a budget reconciliation bill that authorizes more than $100 billion in defense spending. Congress' current budget proposal, in addition to President Trump's exorbitant defense budget promises for FY26, is on track to raise the defense budget to over $1 trillion. 

Instead of using our tax dollars to turn swords into plowshares and meet the daily needs of the American people and those suffering abroad, Congress and the President are further militarizing our country and the world with weapons that in some cases are being used in violation of human rights and in contravention of US law. 

As a faith community dedicated to a just peace, this is a morally unjustifiable decision. Matthew 5:9 and Romans 12:18 call us in pursuit of peace. We are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and love our neighbor. Loving our neighbors does not mean we use our tax dollars to perpetuate global violence or make decisions on how to spend our federal budget with an intent of “lethality.” 

Our faithful call to be peacemakers is grounded not only in scripture, but through research and experience. In this time of fear and global disharmony, it is of the utmost importance that we pursue peace. Unfortunately, many of our methods of peacemaking as a country have already been greatly reduced or dismantled, causing further disharmony and resentment of our global community towards the United States. USAID, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and many programs under the Department of State were peacemaking programs that cost far less than $1 trillion but do more for national security than $1 trillion of weapons would. 

We need to say no to our hard-earned tax dollars being used to further endanger us and our global neighbors, tell Congress to vote NO on any reconciliation bill that prioritizes weapons and war.