China’s navy this week test-fired a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the South Pacific, alarming U.S. allies across the region. The launch, China’s second major open-ocean ballistic missile test in less than two years, was described by U.S. officials as a “great concern to the region and the world.” But our nation’s defense budget still does not reflect the reality of China’s growing military threat.

Missile tests are not abstractions. They are threats and should be taken as warnings. Beijing is preparing for a more dangerous world, and Congress must do the same by passing President Donald Trump’s defense funding through the reconciliation process, which can bypass a filibuster by Democrats.