Defense policymakers in Congress are staring down huge new challenges as President Donald Trump proposes $1.5 trillion in defense spending, threatens military involvement in Venezuela and Greenland and criticizes the companies that build weapons for the military. It all comes as appropriators continue to work to finalize a fiscal 2026 Pentagon funding bill. Work is also about to begin on the next NDAA.

Join POLITICO's Capitol Hill defense reporters on Thursday, January 15 at 1pm ET for a deep dive into the 2026 agendas for key committees in this space, including Armed Services, Appropriations and Veterans' Affairs.