Congressman Neguse Supports Proposal to Cut Pentagon Budget, Reprioritize Programs that Protect the Public

Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Neguse co-sponsored Representatives Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan’s Resolution to decrease the Pentagon’s overall budget and instead prioritize spending for diplomacy at home and abroad. The Resolution, H.R. 1003, calls in-part for significant cuts to the Pentagon’s budget and reallocation of funds to programs that keep the public safe. Last year’s $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act was the largest on record, coming at the expense of health care, education, infrastructure spending, and public health research. In the middle of a global pandemic, it’s more clear than ever that wasteful spending on unnecessary and endless wars does not keep our country safe or healthy.

“Reallocating these funds to help support public health research and initiatives, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other economy-driving programs will serve the public far greater than funding more war,” said Congressman Neguse. “It is crucial, especially during these unprecedented times, that we invest in our communities and in public health for the safety of all.”

“For years, our government has failed to invest in programs that actually keep our country safe and healthy. The prioritization of defense spending and underinvestment in public health has lead to 10 times more deaths from COVID-19 that wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. By over-prioritizing the Pentagon and military solutions, our country is drastically underprepared for any crisis that needs a non-military solution,” said Congresswoman Lee.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.