In December 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved. Now it is appropriate to have a significantly lower budget with the threat so much smaller. One of the main reasons for excess spending is the Pentagon's own war fighting strategy, which is predicated on the assumption that the United States be able to fight and win two major regional conflicts almost simultaneously, with little or no warning and little assistance from allies. Indeed, the types of weapons which Congress and the Pentagon are currently purchasing are designed to fight the last war. They are not suited to the types of threats the United States is likely to face in the future.
Jobs are a major reason for Congressional enthusiasm for high military spending.
F tactical fighter and the F-22 advanced fighter aircraft employ voters. The Pentagon remains one of the larger spending pots for pork-barrel projects. Many senior lawmakers and Members of the Congressional Committees which determine the military budget add funding to weapons systems or military construction projects located in their own district or state. While they rationalize additional spending in the name of national security, in reality, they are looking to secure their own re-election. Not surprisingly, much of the added funding was earmarked for projects in the state or district of Members on the Congressional Committees which determine the military budget.