White House urges Congress to restore promised IRS funds
TL/DR –
The White House’s 2025 budget request to Congress includes approximately $20 billion for the IRS to modernize its IT and expand its workforce, which had been previously cut. The budget also includes higher spending on military personnel, despite plans to downsize some services, and proposes $850 billion in Department of Defense spending. Additionally, the request includes a modest increase for federal IT spending, a significant boost in cyber spending, and plans to sell unneeded federal buildings.
White House Seeks IRS Budget Reversal Amid Modernization Efforts
The White House is urging Congress to restore approximately $20 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds for the IRS’ modernization plans. These funds, initially acquired through the Inflation Reduction Act, are crucial for growing the IRS workforce and updating legacy IT. Congressional Republicans had previously demanded cuts as part of last year’s debt ceiling negotiations.
Pentagon Plans Military Personnel Spending Rise in 2025
The Pentagon’s 2025 budget includes increased spending on military personnel. Despite plans to downsize some services, the Department of Defense (DoD) seeks a 4.5% pay raise for service members and a 2% raise for its civilian workforce. Other proposed expenditure includes fully funding commissaries and raising the income eligibility for basic needs allowance.
Biden’s 2025 Budget Proposes Large Military Pay Raise
The proposed 2025 budget includes considerable military pay raises. If approved, this would mark the third consecutive year of military pay rises above 4%, a trend not seen since the early Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The administration’s proposal includes $850 billion in DoD spending, a figure set by last year’s Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Defense Department Downsizing Active Forces, Upscaling Reserves
The Defense Department plans to reduce the Navy and Army’s size, shifting focus to reserve components. Projections show a decrease of 7,800 active service members by 2025 due to recruitment shortfalls. In contrast, reserve components are expected to gain 2,100 troops.
Federal IT Spending Falls Behind Inflation in 2025
The White House’s 2025 budget request earmarks $75 billion for civilian agency IT, a meager $700 million increase from the 2024 request. Funding winners include Homeland Security and the Energy Department, while the Veterans Affairs Department is set for a $2 billion reduction.
White House Pushes for Increased Cybersecurity Spending
The 2025 budget request from Biden’s administration seeks a significant boost in cyber spending for civilian agencies. Expectations are to spend $13 billion on cybersecurity activities. The budget includes substantial increases for cyber programs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services.
New Document Required for Federal Software Contractors
Secure software development attestation forms are now required for federal contractors. The aim is to ensure agencies use software built following cybersecurity standards.
Biden Focuses on Disposing of Unused Federal Buildings
The White House is pushing for the sale of unneeded federal buildings, proposing $425 million for the General Services Administration to optimize government real estate. Unused properties are to be renovated, sold, or disposed of, saving money on leases and making better use of office space.
Familiar Face to Oversee Governmentwide Programs at GSA
Lauren Bracey Scheidt has assumed the role of assistant commissioner for the Office of Solutions at the General Services Administration. Scheidt will supervise several governmentwide programs, including FedRAMP, Login.gov, and Cloud.gov.
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