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Democrats and Republicans decided to join hands once more late Monday--in an overwhelming 85-10 vote--to affirm that militarism and massive handouts to defense contractors top education, healthcare, and anti-hunger programs on the list of congressional priorities. (Image: ACLU)
Millions Lack Food, Housing, and Healthcare, But 38 Democrats Just Joined GOP to Spend $716 Billion on Endless War and Empire
Had the Pentagon's budget simply remained the same as it was in 2017, Congress "could have funded public college for every student in the U.S. and had $12 billion left over," noted media analyst Adam Johnson
Jun 19, 2018
In a vote that further "entrenches endless war and bloated Pentagon spending" and places greater nuclear capacity in the hands of President Donald Trump, 38 Democrats and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) joined nearly every Senate Republican on Monday to pass a $716 billion defense bill that boosts military spending by over $80 billion and authorizes another $21.6 billion for nuclear weapons programs.
"We cannot spend more on our military than the next 10 nations combined while millions of Americans do not have food and housing and healthcare...That is why I voted against spending $716 billion on the military today."
--Sen. Bernie Sanders Had the Pentagon's budget simply remained the same as it was in 2017, Congress "could have funded public college for every student in the U.S. and had $12 billion left over," noted media analyst Adam Johnson.
But Democrats and Republicans decided to join hands once more late Monday--in an overwhelming 85-10 vote--to affirm that militarism and massive handouts to defense contractors top education, healthcare, and anti-hunger programs on the list of congressional priorities.
Slamming the bipartisan vote to pass the military measure--officially titled the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5515)--Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote: "We cannot spend more on our military than the next 10 nations combined while millions of Americans do not have food and housing and healthcare...That is why I voted against spending $716 billion on the military today."
\u201cnot that anyone cares but the Senate just passed a $716B defense bill for 2019, a 13% increase over 2017, or roughly $82B. Had the DOD's budget simply STAYED THE SAME we could have funded public college for every student in the US & had $12B left over. https://t.co/ScW0T138kh\u201d— Adam H. Johnson (@Adam H. Johnson) 1529370430
Joining Sanders in voting against the military spending bill on Monday were Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Meanwhile, these 38 Senate Democrats and King joined a nearly united GOP caucus in approving the measure:
Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) | Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) | Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) Gary Peters (D-Mich.) Jack Reed (D-R.I.) Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Tina Smith (D-Minn.) Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) Jon Tester (D-Mont.) Tom Udall (D-N.M.) Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) Mark Warner (D-Va.) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) |
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
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amy klobucharben cardincory bookerdemocratic partyelizabeth warrenkamala harriskirsten gillibrandmike leepentagonrepublican partyus militaryus senate
In a vote that further "entrenches endless war and bloated Pentagon spending" and places greater nuclear capacity in the hands of President Donald Trump, 38 Democrats and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) joined nearly every Senate Republican on Monday to pass a $716 billion defense bill that boosts military spending by over $80 billion and authorizes another $21.6 billion for nuclear weapons programs.
"We cannot spend more on our military than the next 10 nations combined while millions of Americans do not have food and housing and healthcare...That is why I voted against spending $716 billion on the military today."
--Sen. Bernie Sanders Had the Pentagon's budget simply remained the same as it was in 2017, Congress "could have funded public college for every student in the U.S. and had $12 billion left over," noted media analyst Adam Johnson.
But Democrats and Republicans decided to join hands once more late Monday--in an overwhelming 85-10 vote--to affirm that militarism and massive handouts to defense contractors top education, healthcare, and anti-hunger programs on the list of congressional priorities.
Slamming the bipartisan vote to pass the military measure--officially titled the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5515)--Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote: "We cannot spend more on our military than the next 10 nations combined while millions of Americans do not have food and housing and healthcare...That is why I voted against spending $716 billion on the military today."
\u201cnot that anyone cares but the Senate just passed a $716B defense bill for 2019, a 13% increase over 2017, or roughly $82B. Had the DOD's budget simply STAYED THE SAME we could have funded public college for every student in the US & had $12B left over. https://t.co/ScW0T138kh\u201d— Adam H. Johnson (@Adam H. Johnson) 1529370430
Joining Sanders in voting against the military spending bill on Monday were Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Meanwhile, these 38 Senate Democrats and King joined a nearly united GOP caucus in approving the measure:
Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) | Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) | Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) Gary Peters (D-Mich.) Jack Reed (D-R.I.) Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Tina Smith (D-Minn.) Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) Jon Tester (D-Mont.) Tom Udall (D-N.M.) Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) Mark Warner (D-Va.) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) |
In a vote that further "entrenches endless war and bloated Pentagon spending" and places greater nuclear capacity in the hands of President Donald Trump, 38 Democrats and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) joined nearly every Senate Republican on Monday to pass a $716 billion defense bill that boosts military spending by over $80 billion and authorizes another $21.6 billion for nuclear weapons programs.
"We cannot spend more on our military than the next 10 nations combined while millions of Americans do not have food and housing and healthcare...That is why I voted against spending $716 billion on the military today."
--Sen. Bernie Sanders Had the Pentagon's budget simply remained the same as it was in 2017, Congress "could have funded public college for every student in the U.S. and had $12 billion left over," noted media analyst Adam Johnson.
But Democrats and Republicans decided to join hands once more late Monday--in an overwhelming 85-10 vote--to affirm that militarism and massive handouts to defense contractors top education, healthcare, and anti-hunger programs on the list of congressional priorities.
Slamming the bipartisan vote to pass the military measure--officially titled the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5515)--Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote: "We cannot spend more on our military than the next 10 nations combined while millions of Americans do not have food and housing and healthcare...That is why I voted against spending $716 billion on the military today."
\u201cnot that anyone cares but the Senate just passed a $716B defense bill for 2019, a 13% increase over 2017, or roughly $82B. Had the DOD's budget simply STAYED THE SAME we could have funded public college for every student in the US & had $12B left over. https://t.co/ScW0T138kh\u201d— Adam H. Johnson (@Adam H. Johnson) 1529370430
Joining Sanders in voting against the military spending bill on Monday were Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
Meanwhile, these 38 Senate Democrats and King joined a nearly united GOP caucus in approving the measure:
Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) | Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) | Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) Gary Peters (D-Mich.) Jack Reed (D-R.I.) Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) Tina Smith (D-Minn.) Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) Jon Tester (D-Mont.) Tom Udall (D-N.M.) Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) Mark Warner (D-Va.) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) |
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