U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene unloaded on the Pentagon’s “audacity” to ask for more taxpayer money in order to fund “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility” programs in the coming year’s budget.
The Georgia Republican blasted the Department of Defense on X in reaction to a report about the request for approximately $114 million as the department failed an annual audit for the sixth time last week.
“The Pentagon has no idea where the hell all the taxpayer money that has been funding it went for the past 6 years,” Greene wrote Tuesday, “but they have the audacity to ask for more funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs?”
“Does Joe Biden want the military to be a lethal fighting force or a clown show??” she asked.
The Pentagon has no idea where the hell all the taxpayer money that has been funding it went for the past 6 years, but they have the audacity to ask for more funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs?
Does Joe Biden want the military to be a lethal fighting force or… https://t.co/xCLSOehmbr
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 21, 2023
“The FY 2024 President’s Budget request demonstrates the DoD’s commitment to DEIA and includes $114.7 million for dedicated diversity and inclusion activities,” the DOD wrote in its Strategic Management Plan for fiscal year 2022 to 2026, according to Fox News.
“This funding across the Military Departments, OSD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute is investing in programs and initiatives aimed at furthering DEIA, and incorporating DEIA values, objectives, and considerations in how we do business and execute our missions.,” the department continues.
In its Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request, the DOD wrote that “Leaders at all levels are responsible for fostering a climate of inclusion that supports diversity, is free from problematic behaviors, and does not tolerate retaliation or reprisal against those filing complaints.”
“Ultimately, recruiting and retaining a force with diverse backgrounds, thought, experience, expertise, and education enhances DoD’s global joint warfighter capabilities fundamental to all DoD activities,” it continued.
A $68 million budget was reportedly earmarked in the 2022 fiscal year for DEIA initiatives and $86.5 million in 2023.
After failing another annual audit, Mike McCord, the undersecretary of defense, or comptroller, at the Department of Defense, told reporters last week that “things are showing progress,” but overall “it’s not enough.”
According to The Hill, “1,600 auditors combed through DOD’s $3.8 trillion in assets and $4 trillion in liabilities, conducting some 700 site visits. They found that half of DOD’s assets can’t be accounted for. ”
The latest $114 million request for DEIA initiatives amid a United States military recruiting shortage ignited backlash from Republicans like Greene.
“Last week, the Pentagon failed its 6th consecutive audit,” the House Oversight Committee wrote on X. “This week, they requested $114 million for DEI. The Biden Admin’s focus on progressivism over warfighting continues to exacerbate the military recruiting crisis and calls into question our level of military preparedness.”
GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy blasted the move on social media.
“This is why we have a 25% recruitment deficit in our military. Self-loathing poison masquerading as ‘DEI.’ And the kicker is: our taxpayer dollars are paying for it,” he wrote on X.
“We need our military laser-focused on defending the nation, not on woke training seminars,” wrote Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina. “Congress can’t continue to rubber-stamp this superfluous spending.”
The Pentagon is asking for $114 million to spend on DEI programs next year.
This is just days after they failed an audit for $1.6 trillion.
If you’re waiting for the punchline, it’s not coming.
This isn’t a joke.
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) November 22, 2023
Pentagon requesting $114 million for DEI is either tone deaf or antagonistic. There’s no other explanation.
The amount should be $0. This woke, liberal madness is a stain on our military.
— Rep. Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) November 21, 2023
The Pentagon wants $114 million more to spend on DEI initiatives in 2024.
No thanks.
How does this help the mission of keeping America safe and the warfighter trained?
— Congressman Ben Cline (@RepBenCline) November 21, 2023
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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