NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — Senior Air Force leaders warned on Monday that they would have to make difficult decisions affecting the readiness of the force if Congress does not pass the proposed defense budget, as well as the reconciliation boost.

The Trump administration is pursuing what would amount to a $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2027, though the base budget request is for $1.15 trillion with a $350 billion infusion in reconciliation, on top of the supplemental request for $87 billion, $67 billion of which is intended for the War Department.