Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
Washington, DC — Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:
“I support and celebrate many critically important elements of this legislation, especially those honoring our service members by giving them a well-deserved pay raise, helping veterans suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits, and better supporting military families. I also applaud provisions increasing the energy resilience of the Department of Defense and providing security assistance to Ukraine.
“I believe there is a better way to support our service members and protect America’s national security than this bloated bill, which authorizes $45 billion more spending than even the Pentagon requested for this fiscal year. I continue to be concerned by the lack of complete and reliable information related to the Department’s audit remediation efforts and levels of waste, fraud, and financial mismanagement that still exists. . We need more robust oversight, transparency, and accountability, starting with a complete and comprehensive audit of the Pentagon. Furthermore, I cannot ignore the stark discrepancy between continuing the trend of increasing military funding and the lack of corresponding investments in diplomacy abroad and schools, health care, and housing here at home.
“Congress must deliver a more responsible and comprehensive defense policy that protects America’s interests against the threats of the 21st Century.”