INVEST IN PEOPLE NOT WEAPONS
The bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, but Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs.
QUICK READ: “The annual Pentagon budget hovers over $750 billion annually, twice that of the much debated Build Back Better Act that costs about $350 billion annually. . . .And the Build Back Better Act is PAID for, unlike the Pentagon’s budget (which we don’t even audit!)” Rep. Mark Pocan’s tweet, Oct. 3, 2021
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
While Democrats are tying themselves in knots over the proposed 10-year $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act (BBB)--which all Republicans oppose—and are intent on whittling down the price tag of investing in American families and saving our planet, politicians can’t seem to stop themselves from lavishing trillions on the Defense Department, even when not requested.
The same corporate politicians who demand scrimping when needy families are involved are more than happy to spend extravagantly on war—even though we haven’t won one in decades, massive amounts are spent on weapons that fail to perform or are obsolete, and over 50% of all Pentagon spending goes to military contractors.
Clearly, “how to pay for it” applies only to money for people; never to money for war—even though BBB, whose annual cost is less than ½ the defense budget’s, is fully paid for and will generate hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
It’s time for Congress to take money out of our bloated military budget and put it into programs keeping kids out of poverty, helping our elders live with dignity, creating good jobs, making our lives better, and attacking climate change.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What does it say about our priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, while Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Please continue pushing for full funding for the Build Back Better Act and work to decrease the military’s final 2022 budget.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What does it say about our priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, while Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Please continue pushing for full funding for the Build Back Better Act and work to decrease the military’s final 2022 budget.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
What does it say about your priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, but Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Your constituents want just the opposite.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What does it say about our priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, but Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Thank you so much for voting to reduce the military budget and voting against the final package. Please continue fighting for full funding for Build Back Better and a smaller military budget.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What does it say about your priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, but Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Your constituents want just the opposite.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What does it say about our priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, but Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Thank you so much for voting to reduce the military budget, but I was disappointed when you voted for the final package. Please continue fighting for full funding for Build Back Better and a smaller military budget.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What does it say about our priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, but Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Thank you so much for voting to reduce the military budget and voting against the final package. Please continue fighting for full funding for Build Back Better and a smaller military budget.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
What does it say about your priorities that the bloated defense budget--many billions more than Biden requested--passes easily, but Congress nickel-and-dimes the safety net and climate programs our country urgently needs? Your constituents want just the opposite.
Action 3:
Other opportunities for action include:
WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY,
FRIDAY, OCT. 22, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/
PHONEBANK TO ENCOURAGE VIRGINIANS TO VOTE
SATURDAY, OCT. 23, 12:00 noon-2:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/410893/
MONDAY, NOV. 1, 2:00pm-4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/410893/
Further Reading:
Congress fights over money for child care -- but never questions billions for war
Think Build Back Better Is Expensive? Wait Till You Hear the U.S. Defense Budget
As Biden Agrees To Cut Free College, Elder Care, Pentagon To Get More Funds Than It Wants
Opinion: Don’t cut the Build Back Better plan--cut the Pentagon’s budget
Bloated defense budget passes easily but Congress fights over safety net programs
Opinion: Biden’s signature bill isn’t that expensive. It’s a drop in the bucket
Dems Who Opposed Pentagon Cuts Received Nearly 4x More Donations From Weapons Makers
