In his fiscal 2025 budget request, President Joe Biden proposed an 18% decrease in F-35 fighter jet spending as a way to cut funding and stay under the $895 billion defense cap that was negotiated by him and then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy last summer. That in turn would delay production of a sixth-generation fighter jet, which GOP lawmakers have argued would deter the United States from keeping pace with China’s development of advanced drones and other jets. 

“When the Biden-Harris administration released its budget in February, it was shocking to see the top line defense budget at $850 billion, which is in actuality a decrease due to inflation hovering around 7% overall and reaching higher levels for some key military production,” Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), who served in the Air Force and sits on the House Armed Services Committee, told the Washington Examiner. 

China is already outpacing the U.S. in overall fighter jet production, Fallon said, which would “severely hamper” the country’s ability to achieve “air superiority if, God forbid, there’s ever a conflict between the U.S. and China.” 

The proposed 18% cut would reduce the number of F-35 jets the Pentagon can purchase next year from 83 to 68, a proposal that was nixed from the final House version of the annual defense bill that passed this summer. Instead, House Republicans increased the number to 76 jets, although that bill has not yet been taken up by the Senate. 

Still, there’s a growing movement within Congress to pare back that number, with the two top Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee proposing an amendment that would slash it to 58 — even fewer than the Biden administration’s request. Those in favor of the amendment argued the F-35 program is fraught with challenges that have delayed final production and exceeded initial cost estimates. 

However, some GOP lawmakers have argued a decrease in funding would result in serious concerns about the country’s military readiness. 

“I’ve worked tirelessly on both the Armed Services Committee and on House Oversight to get the F-35 back on track,” Fallon said. “Ultimately, the U.S. needs the F-35 to deter conflict and, if necessary, prove decisive in an armed confrontation.”

Other Republicans have sought to tie the vice president to the Biden administration’s proposal to cut fighter jet spending, arguing national security would be at risk if she wins the election in November. 

“Kamala Harris has been a disaster for our armed services members, their families, and our national defense,” said Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), who served in the Army. “She has delayed critical mission essential fighter jets and increased lethality, and bettering military family support, while prioritizing funding for DEI. Harris has shown she is not qualified to serve as commander in chief of the largest volunteer forces in the world.”

“America cannot afford another four years of Biden 2.0,” Mills added. 

Republicans have criticized the Biden administration for focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the Department of Defense, with some lawmakers arguing those programs have led to a weaker military. 

“It’s not a coincidence that the wokest administration in history is also the weakest,” Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), who served in the Navy and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2014, told the Washington Examiner. “Wokeness has made our military smaller, more divided, and more vulnerable to foreign enemies.” 

That perceived military weakness is likely to become a top issue on the campaign trail that Harris and other downballot Democratic candidates will have to deal with, according to GOP strategists. At least one strategist said the issue is also likely to come up during the first debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump next week “because military readiness is a core national security issue where Trump has a huge advantage.”

Another predicted it will become a major talking point for GOP campaigns as the election nears. 

“Kamala Harris and Joe Biden delaying critical fighter jets, all while our world is on fire and China is investing in their military will be a central message against her,” one strategist advising several Senate campaigns told the Washington Examiner. “Republicans want to paint her as weak on defense; this is evidence of that very point.”

It is unclear where Harris, who has switched her stance on a number of policies in recent weeks, stands on the issue as the Democratic nominee. It’s also unclear whether she would maintain Biden’s 18% cut in a future budget proposal. The Washington Examiner contacted a spokesperson from the Harris campaign for comment.