Elizabeth Furse: “the amendment before us today is about choices. We can choose to reduce the deficit, or we can choose to increase the…”

“the amendment before us today is about choices. We can choose to reduce the deficit, or we can choose to increase the defense budget. I support a strong military. But I am opposed to wasting taxpayer dollars. Giving an additional $2.4 billion to the Defense Department is truly wasteful spending. This is not about a hollow force. Just listen to some of the things defense contractors charge the Pentagon for: A California defense firm charged the Pentagon more than one-half a million dollars for employee conferences in Jamaica, Hawaii, Mexico, and the grand Cayman Islands. And a Massachusetts military contractor let its employees use its 46-foot fishing boat for their personal enjoyment and charged the Pentagon $62,000, calling it overhead for Government contracts. Taxpayers in my home State of Oregon, as well as those from around the country should be outraged. I know my constituents would rather pay for more cops on the beat than defense contractors' fun in the sun. I quote my colleague Mr. Frank, we must also choose whether we are Uncle Sam or Uncle Sucker. The rest of the world invests in their own economies while U.S. taxpayers pick up the tab for their defense. I say it's time to stop being Uncle Sucker. The Children's Defense Fund has endorsed our amendment. Because of poverty or lack of services American babies are at risk. Mr. Chairman, I choose to help American children grow up in safe and healthy communities.”