House Overwhelmingly Approves Record $649 Billion Military Spending Bill

Fretting Over Deficit, House Still Approves Record Budget

by Jason Ditz, July 08, 2011

America’s economy is continuing to struggle. With talk of a “double-dip recession,” massive unemployment and a budget deficit so large that financial analysts are openly talking about the US defaulting on its national debt, all spending is subjected to serious scrutiny.

Except for the Pentagon, where after days of debate about amendments finally came to an end and both parties came together to overwhelmingly approve a $649 billion military spending bill, assuring the upcoming military budget is, as it has been in so many recent years, the largest in human history.

House Republican Policy Committee chair Tom Price (R – GA) praised the vote, saying approving the hike in military spending proved “responsible leadership” for a nation fighting several wars.

In reality, however, it shows the stark disconnect between Congress’ feigned seriousness about tackling the budget deficits and the enormous military budget. Most other NATO member nations are rushing to cut their military spending to get the financial houses in order. In America, this debate has been all but shelved in favor of what is perceived as the politically safe move, spending two thirds of a trillion dollars that they don’t have.

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