Bruce F. Vento: “I oppose this legislation. It represents not only a continuation of the misplaced priorities but a compounding of…”

“I oppose this legislation. It represents not only a continuation of the misplaced priorities but a compounding of missteps in last year's defense bill, of a much more extreme level. Last year, the Republican majority added $7 billion to the Pentagon's request. This year they added almost double this amount, over $12 billion in unnecessary spending. Even within the Republican party there are those who believe this is going too far, both in terms of spending and policy. While the bill itself is bad policy, the process by which it is being considered is worse. In the past, open debate and opportunities to modify defense legislation have guided this process. Now we are restricted by the Republican rule in the amendments we can consider and issues that can be voted upon. Important amendments were offered but were not permitted in this debate, including a Republican amendment to reorganize the spending priorities of this out of balance defense budget. The bill itself adds over $12 billion to the request of the Pentagon. Most of this new spending in the $267 billion bill goes to unrequested weapons systems, which one analysis points out will require an additional $50 billion in outlays in the next 6 or 7 years. How can the Republican majority maintain their balanced budget rhetoric with increased spending such as this?”