Several days ago I asked you to contact your House representative regarding amendments to the defense appropriations bill. Many of you did. There was one significant legislative victory on the bill but much work remains to be done.
Last evening the House of Representatives voted to freeze Pentagon spending at last year’s level, approving 247-167 the amendment co-sponsored by Rep. Mulvaney (R-S.C.) and Rep. Frank (D-Mass.). The vote is significant in that it showed a willingness by Members of Congress to consider cuts to the military, something that has been hotly debated in the deficit reduction discussions. The Mulvaney-Frank amendment cut $1.1 billion from the House proposal.
Unfortunately, several other amendments which would have made even more significant cuts, were voted down. Even with the Mulvaney-Frank trim, the Pentagon budget is still $6 billion over the caps allowed in last year’s Budget Control Act. A vote to bring the funding levels in line with the caps failed 243-171. Another amendment, to cut $19.2 billion, failed 326-87.
To view how your representative voted on these amendments, the roll call votes are here:
If you're not sure who your Member is, click here. If your representative voted FOR any of these amendments, please consider taking the time to call and thank them for doing so at 202-224-3121.
And thanks again to all of you who took time to email or call your legislator. These efforts do make a difference, and we will continue to work at further reductions to U.S. military spending.
Alert prepared July 20, 2012 by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, Director, rals@mcc.org. |
