HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Gen. Michael Guetlein, the Pentagon official overseeing Golden Dome for America, warned that the missile defense initiative faces a fiscal year 2027 funding gap unless Congress finds a new way to finance the program.
Speaking Aug. 11 at the Space & Missile Defense Symposium, Guetlein said Golden Dome is in an unusual budget position because its initial funding was routed through reconciliation rather than the Pentagon’s regular annual budget.
“It’s a tough, tough budget environment to try to figure out how to fund all of the nation’s priorities, both domestic and military overseas,” Guetlein said during a fireside chat with retired Army Lt. Gen. Dan Karbler.
When the administration submitted its fiscal 2027 defense budget, Guetlein said, “the plan was another reconciliation package.” With that route now uncertain, the Pentagon and Congress need another solution.
“We’ve got to figure out a different way of funding Golden Dome, at least in 2027,” Guetlein said. “Both sides of the aisle, the House and Senate, are working with OMB on how to do this in 2027.”
