The choices of nuclear deterrents

Marines assemble a combat rubber raiding craft during an exercise aboard the USS Ohio in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 9, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Juan Antoine King)

The United States Congress has 465 House and Senate members up for election in November 2026 with a predicted  60 new members promised just from current retirements and other open seats. The new Congress will face having to assess and pass a defense budget as well as implicitly approve a national security strategy embedded in such a budget.