SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is seen on the House steps of the Capitol during votes on Friday, December 4, 2020. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
Congressman Ro Khanna of California was the first House Democrat to speak out Friday against President Joe Biden's request for a $715 billion Pentagon budget for Fiscal Year 2022, an increase from the current $704 billion level approved under former President Donald Trump.
"At a time when his own Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, recently criticized a federal budget that is basically 'military and pensions' without building our productivity capability here at home, it's disappointing that President Biden would propose a budget of $715 billion for the Pentagon, an increase of 1.6% over Trump's $704 billion budget, instead of working toward returning to the Obama-Biden era spending levels," Khanna said in a statement.
While applauding Biden's proposed elimination of the overseas contingency operations (OCO) account--an off-budget war funding pool that critics have decried as a "slush fund"--Khanna said he is "concerned that this budget will likely include other wasteful spending," such as money for new intercontinental ballistic missiles pushed by the powerful weapons lobby.
"We need a fundamental shift in how we address national security issues and invest in climate action and pandemic response," said Khanna, the deputy whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "Those are the issues impacting the security of the American people and will keep Americans safer than spending billions on more deadly weapons."
\u201cBiden just proposed a $715 billion budget for the Pentagon.\n\nTrump\u2019s budget was only $704 billion.\n\nWe should be returning toward Obama levels. Not pouring more money into price gouging defense contractors & wasteful projects.\u201d— Rep. Ro Khanna (@Rep. Ro Khanna) 1617985098
In total, Biden's FY2022 budget outline calls for $753 billion in overall military spending--including $715 billion for the Pentagon--and $769 billion for non-defense federal departments.
The Biden administration's document does not detail where it wants to send the $38 billion in military spending not earmarked for the Pentagon, but Defense News reported that "a large chunk of that is traditionally tied up in the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semiautonomous agency within the Energy Department that handles nuclear warheads."
On Friday afternoon, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) joined Khanna in criticizing the president's first budget proposal, which came after progressive lawmakers and advocacy groups urged Biden to push for substantial cuts to out-of-control Pentagon spending.
"A proposed increase of $13 billion in defense spending is far too much," Pocan said in a statement. "We cannot build back better if the Pentagon's budget is larger than it was under Donald Trump."
"We recognize that non-defense spending has a proposed 16% increase, versus the 1.7% increase in defense spending," the Wisconsin Democrat added. "But increased spending on the Pentagon on fraud, waste, and zero accountability is still just that, and takes away from funding that could be spent on other people-centric policies like healthcare, education, and housing."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Congressman Ro Khanna of California was the first House Democrat to speak out Friday against President Joe Biden's request for a $715 billion Pentagon budget for Fiscal Year 2022, an increase from the current $704 billion level approved under former President Donald Trump.
"At a time when his own Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, recently criticized a federal budget that is basically 'military and pensions' without building our productivity capability here at home, it's disappointing that President Biden would propose a budget of $715 billion for the Pentagon, an increase of 1.6% over Trump's $704 billion budget, instead of working toward returning to the Obama-Biden era spending levels," Khanna said in a statement.
While applauding Biden's proposed elimination of the overseas contingency operations (OCO) account--an off-budget war funding pool that critics have decried as a "slush fund"--Khanna said he is "concerned that this budget will likely include other wasteful spending," such as money for new intercontinental ballistic missiles pushed by the powerful weapons lobby.
"We need a fundamental shift in how we address national security issues and invest in climate action and pandemic response," said Khanna, the deputy whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "Those are the issues impacting the security of the American people and will keep Americans safer than spending billions on more deadly weapons."
\u201cBiden just proposed a $715 billion budget for the Pentagon.\n\nTrump\u2019s budget was only $704 billion.\n\nWe should be returning toward Obama levels. Not pouring more money into price gouging defense contractors & wasteful projects.\u201d— Rep. Ro Khanna (@Rep. Ro Khanna) 1617985098
In total, Biden's FY2022 budget outline calls for $753 billion in overall military spending--including $715 billion for the Pentagon--and $769 billion for non-defense federal departments.
The Biden administration's document does not detail where it wants to send the $38 billion in military spending not earmarked for the Pentagon, but Defense News reported that "a large chunk of that is traditionally tied up in the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semiautonomous agency within the Energy Department that handles nuclear warheads."
On Friday afternoon, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) joined Khanna in criticizing the president's first budget proposal, which came after progressive lawmakers and advocacy groups urged Biden to push for substantial cuts to out-of-control Pentagon spending.
"A proposed increase of $13 billion in defense spending is far too much," Pocan said in a statement. "We cannot build back better if the Pentagon's budget is larger than it was under Donald Trump."
"We recognize that non-defense spending has a proposed 16% increase, versus the 1.7% increase in defense spending," the Wisconsin Democrat added. "But increased spending on the Pentagon on fraud, waste, and zero accountability is still just that, and takes away from funding that could be spent on other people-centric policies like healthcare, education, and housing."
Congressman Ro Khanna of California was the first House Democrat to speak out Friday against President Joe Biden's request for a $715 billion Pentagon budget for Fiscal Year 2022, an increase from the current $704 billion level approved under former President Donald Trump.
"At a time when his own Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, recently criticized a federal budget that is basically 'military and pensions' without building our productivity capability here at home, it's disappointing that President Biden would propose a budget of $715 billion for the Pentagon, an increase of 1.6% over Trump's $704 billion budget, instead of working toward returning to the Obama-Biden era spending levels," Khanna said in a statement.
While applauding Biden's proposed elimination of the overseas contingency operations (OCO) account--an off-budget war funding pool that critics have decried as a "slush fund"--Khanna said he is "concerned that this budget will likely include other wasteful spending," such as money for new intercontinental ballistic missiles pushed by the powerful weapons lobby.
"We need a fundamental shift in how we address national security issues and invest in climate action and pandemic response," said Khanna, the deputy whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "Those are the issues impacting the security of the American people and will keep Americans safer than spending billions on more deadly weapons."
\u201cBiden just proposed a $715 billion budget for the Pentagon.\n\nTrump\u2019s budget was only $704 billion.\n\nWe should be returning toward Obama levels. Not pouring more money into price gouging defense contractors & wasteful projects.\u201d— Rep. Ro Khanna (@Rep. Ro Khanna) 1617985098
In total, Biden's FY2022 budget outline calls for $753 billion in overall military spending--including $715 billion for the Pentagon--and $769 billion for non-defense federal departments.
The Biden administration's document does not detail where it wants to send the $38 billion in military spending not earmarked for the Pentagon, but Defense News reported that "a large chunk of that is traditionally tied up in the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semiautonomous agency within the Energy Department that handles nuclear warheads."
On Friday afternoon, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) joined Khanna in criticizing the president's first budget proposal, which came after progressive lawmakers and advocacy groups urged Biden to push for substantial cuts to out-of-control Pentagon spending.
"A proposed increase of $13 billion in defense spending is far too much," Pocan said in a statement. "We cannot build back better if the Pentagon's budget is larger than it was under Donald Trump."
"We recognize that non-defense spending has a proposed 16% increase, versus the 1.7% increase in defense spending," the Wisconsin Democrat added. "But increased spending on the Pentagon on fraud, waste, and zero accountability is still just that, and takes away from funding that could be spent on other people-centric policies like healthcare, education, and housing."