In the recent passage of the defense funding bill, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene faced a stark rejection from both sides of the aisle with regards to her proposed amendments, The Hill noted.
The House decisively defeated all six amendments proposed by Rep. Greene aimed at reducing foreign aid, leading to her vociferous criticism of both Republican and Democratic colleagues.
Greene's efforts centered on cutting foreign aid contained within the fiscal year 2026 defense appropriations bill, which designates roughly $832 billion for Department of Defense programs. Yet, all six proposed amendments met with unanimous rejections across the floor.
Notable among her amendments was a proposal to cut $500 million intended for the Israeli Cooperative Program for missile defense; the House dismissed it by a vote of 6-422. Another amendment aimed to stop funding assistance to Ukraine but failed in a 76-353 vote, with support solely from Republicans.
Collectively, Greene's amendments sought to retract a total of $1.6 billion from the allocated foreign aid in the defense budget. Her initiatives reflected her broader critique of what she sees as irresponsible fiscal policies.
Despite these setbacks, Greene remained adamant about her stance against foreign aid, arguing it was essential to curb such expenditures to better manage the nation's budget.
Beyond the amendments, the approved defense bill aims to reinforce U.S. military support and readiness. It includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel starting the next fiscal year and a $6.6 billion increase for active, reserve, and National Guard members above current levels.
Substantial allocations also feature in the bill, including $174 billion for procurement and $283 billion for the operation and maintenance of military services. This robust funding effort comes as part of the bill's broader objectives to maintain the military's operational readiness and capability enhancement.
The bill's passage is a crucial aspect of the congressional agenda, reflecting deep partisan debates but also a clear commitment to maintaining a robust defense infrastructure amid global uncertainties.
Disappointed with the rejection of her amendments, Greene took to the social platform X to air her grievances. She stated, "Tonight all of my amendments to cut $1.6 billion of foreign aid out of our Defense budget failed because both Republicans and Democrats refuse to stop sending your hard-earned tax dollars to foreign countries."
She criticized specific instances of foreign aid spending like "$118 million to foreign countries for disaster relief for events like floods that haven’t even happened yet" and "$15 million for AIDS education activities for soldiers in Africa," which she argued as unwarranted.
Greene's rhetoric was sharp and unyielding, portraying a Congress she sees as disconnected from fiscal realities and burdened by unnecessary overseas expenditures.
Highlighting the national debt crisis, Greene warned that the U.S. debt, which she claims stands at $37 trillion, is likely to continue growing unrestrained due to what she describes as 'out-of-control' congressional spending habits. "Congress will never ever fix it because they will never ever stop the insane out-of-control spending," she complained.
This ongoing fiscal debate, characterized by robust partisan and ideological divides, underscores the complexities of balancing national defense needs with fiscal responsibility. The defense bill's passage by a close margin of 221-209 highlights the contentious nature of fiscal debates in contemporary American politics.
The debate over national spending and fiscal management continues to be a pivotal issue, with significant implications for the U.S. economy and its citizens' welfare. As these discussions unfold, the role of lawmakers and their decisions under the public and political microscope becomes increasingly critical in shaping the nation’s future.
