Congress is likely to see an influx of conservatives with a broad mandate to slash federal spending after next month's elections, but whether major cuts to military spending will be on the table remains unresolved.

Republicans traditionally have been strong advocates for robust defense budgets, though some observers are speculating whether fiscal conservatives—encouraged by tea-party activists and the U.K.'s planned 8% cut in defense spending—will make common cause with liberal lawmakers who back reductions in military outlays.

...