Last week, I introduced a really simple amendment in the House Armed Services Committee: No taxpayer funds should be used to build, maintain, or outfit a makeup studio for the Secretary of Defense.
Kind of absurd.
But here’s the more unbelievable part: Every single Republican on the committee voted *against* it!
To state the obvious — we don’t need a made-for-TV defense secretary. We don’t need someone more interested in their appearance than in ensuring the safety of our service members.
But according to CBS News, Secretary Hegseth has ordered a brand-new makeup studio at the Pentagon that will cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. (It would seem he’s more interested in concealing and covering up his mishandling of sensitive attack plans and his blemishes than in strengthening our national security…)
I know Republicans have been very busy avoiding their constituents lately, so I’ll share what I hear from MY constituents: Families are taking on debt just to cover basic needs. Groceries. Rent. Child care. Health care.
The idea that public funds should be spent making sure Pete Hegseth is ready for Fox and Friends at any moment isn’t just bizarre — it’s insulting.
And I think this makes it pretty darn clear that the “efficiency” and “waste” this Administration is obsessed with talking about isn’t actually about efficiency or waste. It’s about furthering their agenda, whether that’s giving billionaires huge tax breaks or making sure their guy looks good on camera. Put another way, it’s total bullshit.
A makeup studio won’t strengthen our national security.
It won’t protect our service members.
It won’t make Americans safer.
If Pete Hegseth wants to be camera-ready, he should do so on his own time, with his own personal funds (just like I do!) — and my Republican colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee should focus on actually working for the American people, not just wasting their money.
If you’re as fed up as I am, will you sign my petition to demand that Republicans get back to governing? Strong public support is a really helpful part of gaining momentum right now as Democrats do all we can to push back.
