US Arms Makers Lobby Against Defense Cuts
Executives Tell 'Supercommittee' Record Military Budget 'Cut to the Bone'
The Aerospace Industries Association, a top lobbying group for America’s enormous weapons-making industry, is pressing forward with plans to lobby the new Congressional “supercommittee” against cutting defense spending, warning them that it has already been “cut to the bone.”
Cut to the bone, in US military budget terms, means the current budget is the largest in the history of mankind, and every year going forward is expected to be even larger, but the growth isn’t quite as big as some theoretical even bigger rate of growth.
Faced with massive budget shortfalls, the supercommittee was expected to eventually consider actual cuts to the military’s budget. Even before the latest round of lobbying began, however, Sen. Jon Kyl (R – AZ) angrily demanded that no one on the committee ever mention such cuts again, threatening to quit if they were even brought up.
When faced with the grim prospect of slowing down the gravy train even a little bit, the defense industry can bring forth considerable political influence, insisting that even slightly less spending on massive weapons systems that the nation doesn’t need and can’t afford would imperil the entire nation’s manufacturing base.
Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz
- No Deal: US Restarted Pakistan Drone Strikes Despite Objections - February 22nd, 2012
- Syrian National Council Demands Foreign Invasion - February 22nd, 2012
- State Dept.: Pakistani Taliban 'Not Welcome' at Truce Talks - February 22nd, 2012
- Israeli FM: Our Decision to Attack Iran None of US, Russia's Business - February 22nd, 2012
- Hunger Strike Ends, but Adnan's Detention Without Charges Doesn't - February 22nd, 2012
Ira Epstein.
September 14th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
I hope someone on the committeee mentions cutting the warmongering budget so Kyle will quit.
curmudgeonvt
September 14th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Hmmm. I wonder if Kyl isn't just covering his buttocks – it he quits in a supposed fit of pique, then he couldn't be held responsible when the committee fails and the automatic cuts kick in. Maybe he knows the committee will fail to reach consensus and doesn't want to be attached to the failure.
John_Muhammad
September 15th, 2011 at 4:52 am
In other news, the nation's washing machine manufacturers urged Congress to exempt spending cuts affecting the National Laundry Preparedness Initiative, a program that ensures the nation has an adequate supply of washing machines available in the event of a national emergency involving heavily stained clothing. Lobbyists from GE, Whirlpool, and Kenmore are applying considerable pressure on Congress to suspend cuts to the NLPI, which brings billions of taxpayer dollars to the appliance industry each year.
I hate to be snippy about it (perhaps because I just saw my bank account was overdrawn by eight dollars) but isn't it a given that any industry in America pressures Congress every time there is even a hint of cutting funding that affects them? Why does it take more money every year to operate a program that essentially runs itself and provides no additional services or benefit?
When they do get around to cutting funding for something- anything- I'd like a refund on my tax dollars that won't be spent.
the lion
September 15th, 2011 at 5:03 am
Now does that mean Kyl is going to quit the Commitee or being a Senator, in both instances it would be better for the Country!
thedissenter
September 15th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Seriously? Whattup with all the rallying? All they have to do is send in the checks and they don't have to get all worked up over it.
Gordon "Gord" Pratt
September 16th, 2011 at 6:17 am
Forget the USA. It is now the USE as in USEmpire.