House Dems who voted against Pentagon budget cuts took 3.7x more military industry cash than their peers, on average

Speaking Security Newsletter | Advisory Note for Organizers and Candidates, n°116 | 24 September 2021

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Situation

New study out from me and the fine folks at Sludge (follow them if you aren’t already!):

Sludge @Sludge

NEW: The Democrats who voted against a 10% cut to the $768,100,000,000 military budget yesterday have received 3.7x more campaign money from the defense industry, on average.

readsludge.comHouse Dems Opposed to Cutting Pentagon Budget Got 3.7x More in Defense Industry CashFewer Democrats voted yesterday to cut the Defense budget by 10% than voted for an identical proposal last year.

(More) Analysis

There were two amendments proposed. The Ocasio-Cortez amendment failed, 86-332. That one represented a 10 percent cut. All Republicans and 126 Democrats voted against it. The Jacobs amendment failed, too, 142-286. That one represented a 3 percent cut. All Republicans and 77 Democrats voted against.

Here’s a chart showing to what extent campaign/PAC cash from military contractors might’ve played a role in the split in Democrat opinion:

Thanks for your time,

Stephen (@stephensemler; stephen@securityreform.org)

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