White House budget requests funding to end defense sequester

President Donald Trump's first official budget calls for ending the defense sequester and increasing military spending — but he needs Congress to sign off on the plan in order to keep his promise.

Several years ago, Congress set up automatic spending cuts, known as "sequestration," amid failing negotiations among lawmakers and Barack Obama's administration over the federal debt limit and government spending. About half of the cuts hit defense.

The Trump administration's fiscal year 2018 budget, released May 23, bypasses current caps on spending and requests $639 billion for defense programs, a $54 billion increase from current levels.

The budget says that the world has become more dangerous since sequestration began in 2013, yet the military has become smaller and less prepared.

"The president's budget ends this depletion and begins to rebuild the U.S. Armed Forces, laying the groundwork for a larger, more capable, and more lethal joint force consistent with a new national defense strategy," the document says.

The White House Office of Management and Budget says the funds could pay for 56,400 more soldiers or dozens of new fighter aircraft and ships.

But the White House budget is just a proposal. Congress alone has the power to appropriate funds.

That said, the document reflects Trump's priorities, including ending the defense sequester. Until Congress decides whether it will grant Trump's request, this promise remains In the Works.