Letter to Hon. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee - Pocan, Lee Urge Lower NDAA Spending Levels

Letter

Dear Chairman Smith:

We request that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22 NDAA) reported by the House Armed Services Committee not exceed an authorization level larger than the level requested in President Biden's budget submission to Congress or the amount of appropriations already approved by the House Appropriations Committee.

We are aware that the Senate Armed Services Committee recently passed an FY22 NDAA that is $25 billion larger than what the Commander-in-Chief requested. This number is above and beyond the more than one percent increase in funding requested by President Biden and approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Surpassing the President's request by such a large and unwarranted amount should not be the starting position of the House Armed Services Committee, particularly when current defense spending levels should already be reduced.

America spends more on its military than the next 11 largest defense-spending nations combined. This will remain true if the President's budget request were enacted, and the ratio will only increase under the Senate's proposal. At a time when America's largest national security threat is a global pandemic, our spending priorities should embrace efforts such as increased COVID vaccination efforts abroad instead of continually increased military spending -- especially during a period of military withdrawal from foreign wars.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to working with you to produce an FY22 NDAA that is no larger than President Biden's budget request and that is aligned with the priorities of the House Democratic Caucus.

Sincerely,

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