"The House .. voted for a $.. bill that increases the Defense .. budget by $17 billion ..."

[struggle4progress]

House Votes on Increasing Defense Budget
Written by Aquala Bogan Defense & National Security Jul 11, 2011

The House of Representatives recently voted for a $649 billion defense spending bill that increases the Defense Department’s budget by $17 billion. Even amid the sluggish economy and cuts being made to various government agencies, the House made it clear where its priorities lie, one GOP representative said.

“House Republicans demonstrated responsible leadership that sets priorities and does not jeopardize our national security interests and our nation’s ongoing military efforts,” Rep. Tom Price, (R-Ga.), chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee, said in a statement.

The bill would cover $119 billion in costs to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and give $530 billion to the Pentagon. The bill was voted for and debated on in a bipartisan manner. Massachusetts Democrat Barney Frank and Tea Party freshman Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) took issue with the bill.

“The military budget is not on the table,” Frank told MSNBC.com. “The military is at the table, and it is eating everybody else’s lunch.” Mulvaney also said constituents expect more fiscal responsibility from their representatives. “How can we look them in the eye and tell them that we are serious about cutting spending and then come in and plus up the base defense budget?” he asked ...

http://www.executivegov.com/2011/07/house-votes-on-increasing-defense-budget/

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. What on earth??? They're going to cut essential programs but increase the unessential? nt

[jimmyflint]

2. Wow, thank goodness we didn't spend that 649 billon here.

:sarcasm:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. "House Republicans demonstrated responsible leadership"

Fuck that noise; they did NOT.

This is irresponsible in the extreme.

:thumbsdown:

[spanone]

9. killing machines are irresponsible

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. Oh, they set priorities all right.

:grr:

[napi21]

5. Yeah, my Congressman, Graves, was on MSNBC tonight with

Al Sharpton, bragging about how he disagrees with any spending, bla, bla, bla. Just after I watched him, I got an email about him voting FOR this Defence increase! First thing I did was send him an email calling him out on his BS lies! I used to be very formal and polite with my comments to these AH's, but no moe! I'm damn sick of it and I call them out, very plainly (but without vulgarity) every time!

Of course, I doubt anyone pays any attention to what I saybecause I live in the Red State of Georgia, and if he gets any other emails, they probably pat him on the back.

[chill_wind]

6. Passed overwhelmingly. 336 to 87, god damn it.

"The strong bipartisan vote was 336 to 87 and reflected lawmakers’ intent to ensure national security, preserve defense jobs across the nation, and avoid deep cuts while the country is at war.

While House Republican leaders slashed billions from all other government agencies, the Defense Department is the only one that will see a double-digit increase in its budget beginning Oct. 1."

http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-09/news/29756144_1_chaplains-pentagon-budget-defense-spending


Still, Obama had wanted even more:

"The House cut about $8 billion from Obama's overall defense spending request, voting to provide about $530 billion for the Pentagon's primary budget and another $119 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Pentagon primary budget is *$18 billion more than 2011*(Reuters)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/usa-budget-defense-idUSN1E7670UA20110708

(extra emphasis mine).

[steelmania75]

7. 2/3 of that is waste and needs to be cut.

[slipslidingaway]

8. knr nt

[LeftinOH]

10. ..if only we could find a way to cut all this wasteful spending. (sarcasm intended) n/t