The United States spends more on weapons and war than on education, public health, scientific research, infrastructure, environmental protection, and more — combined. A significant contributor to this imbalance is the Pentagon’s Unfunded Priorities List, a mechanism that requires the military to request bonus funding above and beyond the Pentagon’s already substantial budget. By eliminating these “wish lists,” Congress can take a significant step toward realigning our spending with the values of caring for the needs of our communities.
The National Defense Authorization Act is a must-pass bill that determines the annual budget and expenditures of the Pentagon. We hope Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez will express support to end the UPL requirement in voting for H.R. 4047.
The Unfunded Priorities List offers a backdoor for boosting military spending and has received criticism from both sides of the aisle. Even the Pentagon is on record opposing the Unfunded Priorities List and urging Congress to “reconsider … this approach.”
H.R. 4047 will increase accountability and begin the process of realigning our nation’s spending priorities away from endless war and toward more pressing needs that impact our communities and the world.
