The Trump administration announced yesterday that it will be raiding nearly $4 billion more in defense funding, this time from funds “intended to build fighter jets, ships, vehicles and National Guard equipment.” After voting repeatedly to uphold the sham emergency declaration that allowed the White House to raid billions from military construction and counterdrug efforts, and then refusing to stand up to the threat of another $7.2 billion cash grab in January, it’s no surprise that those vulnerable Republican Senators have been largely silent on this latest attempt to divert billions of dollars from critical military projects.
“Vulnerable Republicans have repeatedly shown they have no problem allowing the White House to steal billions of dollars from crucial national security projects, and Trump’s new plan to steal even more funds intended for combat equipment further undermines our servicemembers and our military preparedness for a political stunt,” said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss. “Senate Republicans owe it to their constituents to finally do what’s right and stand up to this latest cash grab, but their continued indifference shows they’re once again putting partisan loyalty ahead of the oath they took to serve our country.”
Republican Senators on the ballot in 2020 including Thom Tillis, Cory Gardner, Martha McSally, Joni Ernst, David Perdue, John Cornyn, Lindsey Graham, and Mitch McConnell have all previously voted to uphold the president’s abuse of the national emergency declaration to divert military project funding, including millions from projects in many of their own states.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
POLITICO: Pentagon to shift $3.8B for fighter planes, ships toward border wall
The shift in funding marks a new phase for the administration, which until now had used money set for military construction and counterdrug operations and not combat equipment.
By Connor O’Brien and Caitlin Emma
February 13, 2020
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