Vote No on an Increase in Pentagon Spending
Massachusetts Peace Action

(May 31, 2023) — Tonight, the House of Representatives is set to vote on a deal to increase the debt ceiling, avoiding the consequences of an unprecedented national default.

That deal, reached on Saturday by Democratic President Joe Biden and the Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, reflects serious problems in the priorities of our federal government.

It’s time to stop misdirecting hundreds of billions of dollars away from domestic and human needs to pad unnecessary budget lines for endless wars, failed weapons, and the Pentagon’s corporate handouts.

The House of Representatives is set to vote on a deal to increase the debt ceiling, avoiding the consequences of an unprecedented national default.

While the deal slashes crucial food programs for needy Americans, removes protections for our environment, and maintains tax cuts for the wealthy it proposes an increase to military spending, by far the largest item of discretionary spending.

The People Over Pentagon Act (H.R.1134) led by US House Representatives Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) would cut $100 billion from the three-quarters-of-a-trillion dollar Pentagon budget, reducing waste and encouraging lawmakers to spend this funding on the true needs of their constituents instead.

While the deal slashes crucial food programs for needy Americans, removes protections for our environment, and maintains tax cuts for the wealthy it proposes an increase to military spending, by far the largest item of discretionary spending.

Tell Your Member of Congress:
Vote No on an Increase in Pentagon Spending

They should also support the People Over Pentagon Act (H.R.1134) to cut $100 billion from the three-quarters-of-a-trillion dollar Pentagon budget, reducing waste and encouraging lawmakers to spend this funding on the true needs of their constituents instead.

Researchers at the National Priorities Project have noted that $100 billion used elsewhere could pay for:

• Powering every household in the United States with solar energy
  • Hiring one million elementary school teachers amid a worsening teacher shortage
  • Free tuition for 2 out of 3 public college students in the US
  • Sending every household in the US a $700 check to help offset effects of inflation

While a $100 cut is not nearly enough, it will arrest the absurd rise military spending and take us in the right direction. Demand that your member of Congress sign on today!

Massachusetts Peace Action
11 Garden St
Cambridge, MA 02131