March 4, 2014
Dear Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense,
As national faith-based organizations, we advocate for a federal budget that fosters true human security. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan draw to a close, we question why H.R. 3547, the FY2014 Appropriations bill, increased war funding by billions of dollars through the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account. We ask that in appropriating for FY2015 you end the practice of funding the Pentagon through OCO.
After previous wars, Pentagon spending has always been significantly reduced. Now, no longer engaged in any active wars, the U.S. defense budget must come down far more to match past post-war drawdowns. The OCO fund should not be increasing as we exit two wars. As you begin the appropriations process for FY2015, you have an opportunity to end the budget gimmicks and realize true savings at the Pentagon. If transparency and budget discipline at the Pentagon is ever to be achieved, Congress cannot continue to appropriate base budget funds in the OCO account.
Since 2001, Pentagon spending has nearly doubled. We cannot afford to spare the Pentagon budget from cuts while underfunding programs that provide for the fundamental needs of our communities and make investments that build this nation. We appreciate that the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 did not shift the burden of Pentagon budget cuts onto non-defense programs and maintained the 50/50 split in discretionary spending. But the need in communities around the country remains great. Non-defense discretionary programs like housing assistance and grants to low-income school districts have been cut significantly since 2010. These vital human needs programs should not be struggling to serve our communities while the Pentagon has yet to pay its fair share.
We ask that Pentagon spending be reined in as the wars end and that the OCO fund be eliminated. In a February 10, 2014 letter to Rep. Ryan, the Congressional Budget Office makes clear there are no needs identified to support the $92 billion OCO fund and that this level is merely a continuance of funds that were available during the war. With the wars over, Congress should not use OCO funds as a way to pad spending in the Pentagon's base budget. Further, funding for the Pentagon in the base budget included nearly $6 billion in earmarked spending on different weapons systems, including $90 million for the Abrams tank that the Pentagon wanted to halt.
Boosting Pentagon spending through the OCO account is an unacceptable budget gimmick that makes transparency impossible. We believe that budget decisions should be rooted in the values of justice and compassion. Promoting true human security requires making investments in human needs. As the wars end, the Pentagon should not be allowed to have its own slush fund. We ask that you take the right and necessary next step and stop funding the Pentagon through the Overseas Contingency Operations account.
Sincerel,
American Friends Service Committee
The Center and Library for the Bible and Social Justice
Center on Conscience & War
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)
Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN)
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and
United Church of Christ
Islamic Society of North America, Office for Interfaith & Community
Alliances
Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR)
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund
National Council of Jewish Women
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Office of Public Witness, Church of the Brethren
Pax Christi International
Pax Chrsiti USA
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians)
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas' Institute Justice Team
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
Dear Members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense,
As national faith-based organizations, we advocate for a federal budget that fosters true human security. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan draw to a close, we question why H.R. 3547, the FY2014 Appropriations bill, increased war funding by billions of dollars through the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account. We ask that in appropriating for FY2015 you end the practice of funding the Pentagon through OCO.
After previous wars, Pentagon spending has always been significantly reduced. Now, no longer engaged in any active wars, the U.S. defense budget must come down far more to match past post-war drawdowns. The OCO fund should not be increasing as we exit two wars. As you begin the appropriations process for FY2015, you have an opportunity to end the budget gimmicks and realize true savings at the Pentagon. If transparency and budget discipline at the Pentagon is ever to be achieved, Congress cannot continue to appropriate base budget funds in the OCO account.
Since 2001, Pentagon spending has nearly doubled. We cannot afford to spare the Pentagon budget from cuts while underfunding programs that provide for the fundamental needs of our communities and make investments that build this nation. We appreciate that the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 did not shift the burden of Pentagon budget cuts onto non-defense programs and maintained the 50/50 split in discretionary spending. But the need in communities around the country remains great. Non-defense discretionary programs like housing assistance and grants to low-income school districts have been cut significantly since 2010. These vital human needs programs should not be struggling to serve our communities while the Pentagon has yet to pay its fair share.
We ask that Pentagon spending be reined in as the wars end and that the OCO fund be eliminated. In a February 10, 2014 letter to Rep. Ryan, the Congressional Budget Office makes clear there are no needs identified to support the $92 billion OCO fund and that this level is merely a continuance of funds that were available during the war. With the wars over, Congress should not use OCO funds as a way to pad spending in the Pentagon's base budget. Further, funding for the Pentagon in the base budget included nearly $6 billion in earmarked spending on different weapons systems, including $90 million for the Abrams tank that the Pentagon wanted to halt.
Boosting Pentagon spending through the OCO account is an unacceptable budget gimmick that makes transparency impossible. We believe that budget decisions should be rooted in the values of justice and compassion. Promoting true human security requires making investments in human needs. As the wars end, the Pentagon should not be allowed to have its own slush fund. We ask that you take the right and necessary next step and stop funding the Pentagon through the Overseas Contingency Operations account.
Sincerel,
American Friends Service Committee
The Center and Library for the Bible and Social Justice
Center on Conscience & War
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)
Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN)
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Franciscan Action Network
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and
United Church of Christ
Islamic Society of North America, Office for Interfaith & Community
Alliances
Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR)
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund
National Council of Jewish Women
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Office of Public Witness, Church of the Brethren
Pax Christi International
Pax Chrsiti USA
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians)
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas' Institute Justice Team
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
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This letter was delivered to Senate offices on March 4, 2014.
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