U.S. Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Kay Granger (R-TX) earlier this week said the Fiscal Year 2022 Defense Appropriations bill provides too little funding for national defense.
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee on July 13 approved the FY 2022 defense bill on a 33-23 vote, authorizing a total of more than $706 billion in discretionary and mandatory funding, a roughly 1.4 percent increase over the current budget.
“The bipartisan National Defense Strategy Commission stated that the Department of Defense needs a three to five percent increase above inflation to keep pace with the threats we face around the world,” Rep. Granger, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, said in a statement given during the committee’s markup of the bill. “This bill does not meet that mark and the funding levels provided will have real consequences.”
“At a time when President Biden has showered most federal agencies and programs with unprecedented funding, his budget shortchanges our military,” said Rep. Calvert, ranking member of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.
The congressman also said that while the committee’s markup of the bill is an improvement from the budget request, much more work remains.
“Far too many dollars are being allocated for progressive goals rather than national security goals,” Rep. Calvert said. “I’m hopeful as the appropriations process moves forward we can continue to improve the bill and ensure our men and women in uniform have the tools, training and resources necessary to secure our nation.”
Rep. Granger noted she’s pleased to see that the bill funds many priorities for members on both sides of the aisle.
“Significant investments in programs such as the F-35 and the Columbia Class submarine increase our security, give the United States a competitive edge against our adversaries, and strengthen our industrial base,” she said. “However, the total funding level provided in the bill is just far too low.”
Rep. Calvert also pointed out that providing inadequate resources for United States training and readiness creates a dangerous scenario that jeopardizes the safety of American troops.
“At a time when China’s global ambitions are fueling rapid growth in its military capabilities, and aggression from Russia as well as Iran threatens the interests of America and our allies, we cannot afford to retreat from our military investments,” Rep. Calvert said. “Failing to build the ships and aircraft necessary to project our force around the world sends a signal of weakness and is an invitation for chaos.”