Say NO to a $1.5 trillion war budget: Call your Senators and Representative in support of the "Slash the Pentagon Act" Last week, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) filed the "Slash the Pentagon Act" in the Senate. The bill would cut the Department of Defense's budget and cap its spending at $750 billion—half of the record $1.5 trillion that Trump has demanded in this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). There's no question that the money is needed elsewhere, in programs that fund real human needs. As Senator Markey pointed out when he announced the bill filing, $750 billion could pay for... - High speed rail and electrification of heavily polluting railyards and corridors
- Cancelling 100% of Americans' medical debt
- Fully funding SNAP
- Providing children with Head Start and Early Head Start for the next decade.
Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, noted that the Slash the Pentagon Act would save enough money to... - Restore Medicare and SNAP cuts and ACA subsidies
- Expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing, vision and home health care
- Fund major initiatives on climate, housing, and the cost of higher education
And we would still have money left over! In fact, even with the 50% reduction in the Trump war budget mandated by the Slash the Pentagon Act, the federal government would still be earmarking more public funds for war in this NDAA than in last year's.
Because the legislation has just been introduced, bill numbers are not yet available in the Senate or House, nor do we know if there are already co-sponsors. But it is not too early to call your Senators and Representative and demand that they support the bill. The text of the bill is here, and here is Sen. Markey's press release. If you need to find your Senators' contact info, click here. For the House, click here. If you want to read more about militarism, corporate rule, and what people are doing at the grassroots to organize and promote peace, read Justice Rising on "Disarming Violence on a Path Toward Peace," and "Establishing Peace in a World Without War." This two-part series focuses on the history and present-day reality of US militarism, imperialism and settler colonialism here and overseas. In concise and insightful articles from activists, authors, and journalists, you'll learn about the toxic legacies of our endless wars on people, politics, and the environment. Follow the links to read online or contact us for print copies.
Thanks for taking action! Onward to a democracy that puts people's needs first!
Nancy Price and David Delk, Co-chairs Join the Alliance for Democracy
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