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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Johanna Kichton, press@peoplesaction.org

Bloated Military Budget Proves Congress Needs a Reality Check on Priorities

People's Action today released the following statement by Director of Federal Affairs Megan Essaheb as the Senate debates the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act:

WASHINGTON

People's Action today released the following statement by Director of Federal Affairs Megan Essaheb as the Senate debates the FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act:

"It's rich that some senators will soon greenlight a bill, written and lobbied for by defense contractors and corporations who profit off forever wars, while failing to fully fund critical housing, pre-K, and paid leave programs in President Biden's Build Back Better Act. That's on top of their blatant refusal to include live-saving and life-changing programs like dental and vision for older seniors, clean energy for utilities, and free community college.

"This NDAA gives $768 billion to military and national security programs for this year alone, while only $550 billion was allocated to combat climate change over time in the Build Back Better Act in the House-and that might be slashed further in the Senate. We'll spend more in a single year on defense than we will over 10 years on climate action.

"We will face profound threats that will impact all of us, especially frontline communities hit first and worst by climate catastrophe and generations of disinvestment. We need to invest in sustainable housing, climate infrastructure, and quality health care now instead of bloating our military budget further to win wars that should have never been started."

People's Action builds the power of poor and working people, in rural, suburban, and urban areas to win change through issue campaigns and elections.