ALERT TO OUR MEMBERS!
Right now, Congress is deliberating the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that specifies the annual budget and expenditures of the U.S. Department of Defense, a proposal for $740 billion dollars. As usual, there are amendments that get tacked onto it. Over 400 were made in order for the House NDAA. Peace Action Maine joined the call from Peace Action requesting our Maine Members of Congress support the 10 % cut.
We asked Senators King and Collins to support the Sanders-Markey-Warren 10% cut amendment - S.1788 but they both voted against the cut. It would reduce the Pentagon’s budget by ten percent – from $740.5 billion to $666.5 billion -- while exempting military personnel and the Defense Health Program from any reduction. The vote failed to pass 23-77. We asked Representatives Pingree and Golden to support the similar Pocan-Lee-Jayapal amendment #526, but as expected, it failed 93-324. (Pingree voted aye for reducing the Pentagon budget, Golden voted against it.) The Senate will be voting soon. Please take the time to call the switchboard now at 202-224-3121. Fund Nurses, Not Nukes! Deflate the Pentagon, move the money to PPE.