Montana could see fewer direct benefits than many other states if Congress approves a major increase in defense spending

Montana could see fewer direct benefits than many other states if Congress approves a major increase in defense spending.

Lawmakers are considering a significant boost to the Pentagon budget, with President Donald Trump requesting a record $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027. While Congress is expected to approve a smaller amount, both the House and Senate support increasing military spending.

A States Newsroom analysis of Defense Department data from 2020 through 2024 found Montana ranks near the bottom nationally in both total Pentagon spending and defense spending per resident. The analysis places Montana alongside states such as Oregon, Idaho and Minnesota as receiving comparatively little defense funding.

The report shows that defense spending in Montana totaled $750 per resident compared to $1333 in North Dakota, $1163 in Wyoming and $442 in Idaho. The state with the most spending on national defense was Virginia with $8646 per resident. 

That means any increase in Pentagon spending is likely to have a smaller direct economic impact in Montana than in states like Texas, California and Virginia, which receive tens of billions of dollars annually because they are home to major military installations and defense contractors.

Supporters of the spending increase say it will strengthen national security and create jobs in military communities. Critics argue the economic benefits are often overstated and say additional defense dollars could come at the expense of other federal priorities such as health care and nutrition assistance.

Congress is expected to continue debating the defense spending package in the coming months.