Lawmakers are calling for more F-35s in response to the coronavirus outbreak. (Photo: Forsvarsdepartementet/flickr/cc)
Mar 20, 2020
As the federal government develops strategies for how to deal with the coronavirus outbreak that has already significantly damaged the U.S. economy and killed over 100 Americans, a group of lawmakers are urging Congress approve the purchasing of 19 more F-35 fighters than the Pentagon requested as part of the battle against the disease, enraging progressives.
"Infuriating doesn't even begin to describe it," tweeted Stephen Miles, executive director of Win Without War, on Friday.
\u201cInfuriating doesn't even begin to describe it. Can you think of a more outrageous thing for members of Congress to be demanding the federal gov't be spending its money on now than MORE F-35s, a jet that still doesn't work, than the Pentagon even wants. Do F-35s fight pandemics?\u201d— Stephen Miles (@Stephen Miles) 1584721174
According toPolitico, the request for more F-35s came from Democrats and Republicans alike:
"It is essential that we continue to increase production of our nation's only 5th generation stealth fighter in order to ensure the United States maintains air dominance and to further reduce overall program costs," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the chairmen and top Republicans of the House Armed Services Committee and Defense Appropriations panel.
The letter was spearheaded by the co-chairs of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus -- Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Martha Roby (R-Ala.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio).
"Outrageous priorities of militarists during the coronavirus pandemic," tweeted anti-war group Peace Pledge Union.
Win Without War has issued a list of policy demands--laid out in a document titled "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Face of the Coronavirus"--to help guide the government's handling of the crisis.
\u201cThe #coronavirus pandemic, & the economic crash it's sparked, have revealed deep weaknesses in the current economic & political order. We need a progressive internationalist response to this crisis, & that response must meet, at the least, 5 key demands:\n\nhttps://t.co/7nH2g6TU13\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1584710871
The list includes no more money for Pentagon wars, ending sanctions, protecting refugees and migrants, focusing on international cooperation, and the passage of a Green New Deal.
"The greatest security challenges of the 21st century--global inequality, climate change, pandemics--cannot be solved militarily," the document declares. "Years of funneling trillions of dollars into the Pentagon instead of investing in critical human needs have left us woefully unprepared to meet them."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today! |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
As the federal government develops strategies for how to deal with the coronavirus outbreak that has already significantly damaged the U.S. economy and killed over 100 Americans, a group of lawmakers are urging Congress approve the purchasing of 19 more F-35 fighters than the Pentagon requested as part of the battle against the disease, enraging progressives.
"Infuriating doesn't even begin to describe it," tweeted Stephen Miles, executive director of Win Without War, on Friday.
\u201cInfuriating doesn't even begin to describe it. Can you think of a more outrageous thing for members of Congress to be demanding the federal gov't be spending its money on now than MORE F-35s, a jet that still doesn't work, than the Pentagon even wants. Do F-35s fight pandemics?\u201d— Stephen Miles (@Stephen Miles) 1584721174
According toPolitico, the request for more F-35s came from Democrats and Republicans alike:
"It is essential that we continue to increase production of our nation's only 5th generation stealth fighter in order to ensure the United States maintains air dominance and to further reduce overall program costs," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the chairmen and top Republicans of the House Armed Services Committee and Defense Appropriations panel.
The letter was spearheaded by the co-chairs of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus -- Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Martha Roby (R-Ala.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio).
"Outrageous priorities of militarists during the coronavirus pandemic," tweeted anti-war group Peace Pledge Union.
Win Without War has issued a list of policy demands--laid out in a document titled "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Face of the Coronavirus"--to help guide the government's handling of the crisis.
\u201cThe #coronavirus pandemic, & the economic crash it's sparked, have revealed deep weaknesses in the current economic & political order. We need a progressive internationalist response to this crisis, & that response must meet, at the least, 5 key demands:\n\nhttps://t.co/7nH2g6TU13\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1584710871
The list includes no more money for Pentagon wars, ending sanctions, protecting refugees and migrants, focusing on international cooperation, and the passage of a Green New Deal.
"The greatest security challenges of the 21st century--global inequality, climate change, pandemics--cannot be solved militarily," the document declares. "Years of funneling trillions of dollars into the Pentagon instead of investing in critical human needs have left us woefully unprepared to meet them."
As the federal government develops strategies for how to deal with the coronavirus outbreak that has already significantly damaged the U.S. economy and killed over 100 Americans, a group of lawmakers are urging Congress approve the purchasing of 19 more F-35 fighters than the Pentagon requested as part of the battle against the disease, enraging progressives.
"Infuriating doesn't even begin to describe it," tweeted Stephen Miles, executive director of Win Without War, on Friday.
\u201cInfuriating doesn't even begin to describe it. Can you think of a more outrageous thing for members of Congress to be demanding the federal gov't be spending its money on now than MORE F-35s, a jet that still doesn't work, than the Pentagon even wants. Do F-35s fight pandemics?\u201d— Stephen Miles (@Stephen Miles) 1584721174
According toPolitico, the request for more F-35s came from Democrats and Republicans alike:
"It is essential that we continue to increase production of our nation's only 5th generation stealth fighter in order to ensure the United States maintains air dominance and to further reduce overall program costs," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the chairmen and top Republicans of the House Armed Services Committee and Defense Appropriations panel.
The letter was spearheaded by the co-chairs of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter Caucus -- Reps. John Larson (D-Conn.), Marc Veasey (D-Texas), Martha Roby (R-Ala.) and Mike Turner (R-Ohio).
"Outrageous priorities of militarists during the coronavirus pandemic," tweeted anti-war group Peace Pledge Union.
Win Without War has issued a list of policy demands--laid out in a document titled "U.S. Foreign Policy in the Face of the Coronavirus"--to help guide the government's handling of the crisis.
\u201cThe #coronavirus pandemic, & the economic crash it's sparked, have revealed deep weaknesses in the current economic & political order. We need a progressive internationalist response to this crisis, & that response must meet, at the least, 5 key demands:\n\nhttps://t.co/7nH2g6TU13\u201d— Win Without War (@Win Without War) 1584710871
The list includes no more money for Pentagon wars, ending sanctions, protecting refugees and migrants, focusing on international cooperation, and the passage of a Green New Deal.
"The greatest security challenges of the 21st century--global inequality, climate change, pandemics--cannot be solved militarily," the document declares. "Years of funneling trillions of dollars into the Pentagon instead of investing in critical human needs have left us woefully unprepared to meet them."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.