James Traficant: “I believe that the American taxpayers pay for the defense of Japan and…”

On the recordMay 18, 1994

I believe that the American taxpayers pay for the defense of Japan and Germany and Europe to the tune of about $100 billion. That is, ``b'', a hundred billion. Now, I know they say that protects American interests when we send all this money over there, but I want the Members to think about this. The taxpayers of American send a check over to Frankfurt to an American soldier who cashes his check at a bank in Frankfurt. Then he goes out and he buys clothing in Heidelberg, or he goes to dinner in Dusseldorf, or in fact they may take in a theater at some point in Rome, or some American soldier may cash his check and buy sushi in Tokyo. This amazes me. And yet we have millions of illegal aliens running across our border, and Congress is feverishly trying to find money to finance new Border Patrol agents. I just cannot believe how dumb the Congress of the United States can be.

Said by

James Traficant

Ohio

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing concerns about U.S. defense spending and its implications during a floor speech.

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James Traficant: “I believe that the American taxpayers pay for the defense of Japan and Germany and Europe to the tune of about $100…”

Editor's note · Context