Gallup — Americans Split on Defense Spending

• One in three Americans say U.S. is spending "too little"
• Another third of Americans think U.S. is spending "too much"
• More Americans now say U.S. military is "not strong enough"

Having witnessed multipronged international turmoil throughout the past year -- particularly from the Islamic State -- Obama and the GOP-controlled Congress may be able to find some common ground on increases in military spending, which would have the support of a growing number of Americans. 

Last month, Gallup found Americans were generally satisfied with U.S. military strength, but their level of satisfaction is down from the past two years and well below where it was after 9/11 and in the early stages of the Iraq war. Combined with the February increase in the percentage saying the U.S. military is not strong enough, public opinion seems to favor increases in defense spending. 

Though the White House and congressional Republicans may struggle to agree on how big these increases should be and how they are funded, they can each lean on growing support for an increase within their respective parties.

Gallup
Americans Split on Defense Spending
Justin McCarthy