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John,
The new majority in the House of Representatives wants to cut spending down to FY2022 levels, but what it really means is they’re planning on exempting the Pentagon from cuts and instead cutting back funding for housing, education, nutrition, child care, enviro protection, and much, much more.
Incoming Appropriations Chair Kay Granger (R-Texas) supports additional Pentagon funding.1 In a statement released shortly after the House Speaker election, Rep. Granger made her position clear:
“As we start the 118th Congress, I look forward to working with Speaker McCarthy, the rest of our leadership, and other full committee chairs to cut wasteful spending while maintaining our national security priorities. There have been reports that House Republicans support cutting our national defense. Let me be clear -- this House Republican does not support that position."2
Cutting spending back to FY2022 levels while exempting the defense budget means that about $130 billion in cuts would have to come from domestic programs. The Pentagon’s share of cuts to get down to FY2022 levels would be $75 billion. Instead, all the cuts would be aimed at programs that help families and communities secure housing, food, education, environmental protection, early childhood programs, and more.
The needs of the most vulnerable must come first. Sign the petition demanding Congress cut military spending, not domestic programs.
The U.S. makes up around 39% of the world's military spending.3 That’s more than the next nine countries (who are our allies) combined. 62 years ago today, President (and former General) Dwight D. Eisenhower gave his farewell address, in which he spoke out against the rising military industrial complex:
“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. . . .Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. . . . In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”4
Congress must prioritize the needs of the people. That means investing in programs that will truly make our country stronger and more equitable while cutting the bloated Pentagon budget -- and supporters like you can lead the way.
SIGN HERE to tell Congress to cut the Pentagon budget and save domestic programs!
Yesterday we celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and while he died 55 years ago, his words ring true today:
“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.”5
Thank you for all you do to support families and communities,
Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs
1 https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/09/gop-defense-spending-pentagon-cuts-00077065
2 https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/granger-on-speakership-election
3 https://ips-dc.org/u-s-still-spends-more-on-military-than-next-nine-countries-combined/
4 https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/president-dwight-d-eisenhowers-farewell-address
5 https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/martin_luther_king_jr_138301
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