The House on Thursday passed a massive National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2022 that adds billions to the original budget requested by President Biden. In total, the NDAA allocates $778 billion for military spending, a $25 billion increase from the $753 billion requested by Biden.
The NDAA passed easily in a vote of 316 to 113, with 38 Democrats and 75 Republicans voted against the bill. The Senate still needs to pass its version of the spending bill, and then the two chambers will negotiate the NDAA that will go to President Biden’s desk in conference committee.
The Senate’s version will also include a $25 billion increase, which was approved in July by the Senate Armed Services Committee. Initially, Republican hawks went after Biden for his $753 billion request, claiming it was not enough to counter China. But ultimately, the boost in funding had bipartisan approval.
Efforts to reduce the budget overwhelmingly failed. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) led an amendment that would have cut the Pentagon’s budget by 10 percent was shot down in a vote of 86 to 332. Another amendment, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), would have limited the NDAA to what Biden requested, but that was voted rejected 142 to 286.
Other notable amendments that were voted on:
Yemen: An amendment to end all US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) was approved by 219 to 207. Another amendment to limit the servicing of Saudi warplanes led by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) was approved by 223 to 204.
Syria: A measure by Rep. Jamal Bowman (D-NY) that would prohibit a US military presence in Syria without the approval of Congress was rejected in a vote of 141 to 286.
ICBMs: The House voted down an amendment sponsored by Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) that would have blocked funding for new intercontinental ballistic missile systems in a vote of 118 to 299.
Pentagon “Wish List”: Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) introduced an amendment that would have limited the Pentagon’s unfunded priority list that was defeated in a vote of 167 to 256.
Law Enforcement: The House rejected a measure sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) that would have reduced the amount of military equipment transferred to domestic law enforcement agencies.
What a boost for world peace and harmony!!!
Oh yes. We are the country of all war all of the time. We are Slim Pickens on that bomb.
Don’t forget Space.
A nation with 5% of the worlds population seems to believe that it should rule with iron fist forever…
While incarcerating 25% of the world’s inmates.
The pride and joy of all under the thumb of the dollar
We’ll, it’s perfectly understandable … after all, the owners of those poor weapons makers, contractors, etc. were positively starving for more tax funding, amirite? I mean, come on serfs, I mean citizens, it’s our duty to pay our taxes so our betters have yet more money to play with.
Syria: A measure by Rep. Jamal Bowman (D-NY) that would prohibit a US military presence in Syria without the approval of Congress was rejected in a vote of 141 to 286.
ICBMs: The House voted down an amendment sponsored by Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) that would have blocked funding for new intercontinental ballistic missile systems in a vote of 118 to 299.
Pentagon “Wish List”: Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) introduced an amendment that would have limited the Pentagon’s unfunded priority list that was defeated in a vote of 167 to 256.
Law Enforcement: The House rejected a measure sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) that would have reduced the amount of military equipment transferred to domestic law enforcement agencies.
Sickening.
Sickening, yes, but you have to admit, amazingly illustrative too of the power of narrative and propaganda. How is there not a revolution in this country?
I mean here we are living in a country with millions of homeless and nearly homeless, with healthcare deficits for nearly every class of citizens, with bridges and water systems and flood control needs starving for funding, and with a precariat class ever growing, causing tension and disease and despair.
And what our congressional reps choose to do, fully aware of all this, is to put more (much more than even asked by the pentagon kings of pork) of our money in the pockets of the least productive and least deserving.
“How is there not a revolution in this country?”
Partial reason:
Law Enforcement: The House rejected a measure sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) that would have reduced the amount of military equipment transferred to domestic law enforcement agencies.
There will be no anti-war protests in this country again. Youth have been brain washed to focus on their cell phone, Instagram, Facebook, then as young adults to tune into the media that hides the carnage we cause.
Good news for realty deniers aboard the global titanic..
US cannot exist without the forever wars…!
“Yemen: An amendment to end all US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) was approved by 219 to 207. Another amendment to limit the servicing of Saudi warplanes led by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) was approved by 223 to 204.”
Can only imagine if one becomes part of the NDAA which one it will be. Meeks’ version is just more of the same.
From the Intercept:
“A foreign policy adviser to a progressive member of Congress, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it’s “inconceivable” that Meeks would introduce his proposal without consulting the White House, as it’s “standard procedure” that the top foreign policy maker and administration would align.”
https://theintercept.com/2021/09/23/yemen-saudi-arabia-war-gregory-meeks/
It seems like both of them will be part of the NDAA, at least as passed by the House.
And(Khanna’s)be killed in the process of reconciliation.
FRUSTRATION !!! The biggest military and we had to leave Afghastan after a 20 year war, what an embarassemnt. NATO & EU are unraveling. Nord -2 gas pipeline makes Russia a power in Europe . Havoke at home. 1300 shootings in Chicago in the first 8 months of 2021. etc,/etc.
So all the trillions spent and lives lost and harmed for empire is not economical? Are we not protected? By the greatest military the world has ever known? By the most god-blessed nation since israel? By the most moral and wonderal leader of the free world? Whats your name.sir?
The sleeper (taxpayer) will never awaken from /his/her slumber to call into question spending more than $2 billion a day maintaining 800 bases and over 2 million enlisted personnel to maintain them in a state of readiness. Sadly that does not allow them to assist with securing the American border.
The figures here do not include the cost of running the V.A. either which is another $270 billion for fiscal year 2021.
The sleeper watching reruns of ‘Friends’ ‘Cheers’ all those other situation comedies and then hours upon hours of ballgames never see’s or knows s/he is being bent over and future mortgaged by the spendthrifts they elect to congress.
Total level of indebtedness is now $29 trillion with threats of a government shutdown if we fail to spend more.
https://www.va.gov/budget/products.asp