To the editor:
It is budget time in Washington DC! PresidentBiden’sandthe Republican’s budgets have proposed an extraordinary amount of money for the Pentagon.
We all know the U.S. military budget is huge, increasing the national debt and reducing funds available for other programs such as infrastructure, community mental health needs, health care, disaster relief, or housing. But are you also aware that each branch of the armed services produces their budget — then –— after the regular budget is finalized are mandated to compile an Unfunded Priorities List for Congress’s approval. This can increase the Pentagon spending to over half of the entire budget. No other government agency has this privilege. Historically this was not mandated by Congress, in fact, Sec. of Defense Robert Gates was able to reduce the cost of these lists by 90%. Lobbyists then went to work and Congress mandated that Unfunded Priorities Lists be sent to the Armed Services committees increasing opportunities for wasteful spending and ballooning the budget.
A bill has been introduced to end the mandate; HR 4740 the Streamline the Pentagon Budget Bill. I encourage you to ask Rep. Bergman to cosign this bill and support this effort.
Jean Petersen Maple City
