Amidst Millions Of Unemployed Americans And Lots Facing Eviction, The Senate Proposes Almost $700 Billion For The Pentagon

Department of Defense

Whoever said that life was not fair hit it on the nose. With the current pandemic causing economic chaos, millions of Americans are unemployed, and a lot of them are facing eviction. Yet, many hope for another stimulus payment, even as the lines to food banks are getting longer. In spite of this, the Senate Appropriations Committee is proposing a huge $696 billion budget for the Pentagon for the upcoming year. Talk about unfairness.


It was reported that the fiscal spending bill for the Pentagon for  2021 was released recently along with 11 other appropriation bills. Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConell agreed they wanted to pass an omnibus spending bill and most likely will agree on the military budget. Democrats and Republicans seem to agree to vote in favor of military spending when the opportunity arises.

July saw the House pass a $694.6 bill for Pentagon spending, the Senate version just released, includes $627.2 billion for the base defense budget, and $68.7 billion for a war fund known as the Overseas Contingency Operations, which includes a 3% pay raise for troops. But the final Senate version still has issues to iron-out, like the renaming of military bases named after Confederate leaders, and from using funds for the border wall. Other details included to fund 96 F-35 fighter jets, and to build 9 new battle force ships.

Forbes

All this budget while millions of Americans are unemployed and barely surviving. Some are facing eviction from their homes, as there are no funds to pay for rent. The latest numbers of people collecting unemployment has reached about 6.8 million, which does not include those not qualified for unemployment or have been unemployed for some time. Times are hard, and people are in survival mode. Even as there are bans on evictions, many landlords are still getting rid of tenants who cannot pay their rent. Some challenged eviction bans in some courts, they also need to earn. An estimate of close to 8 million people are facing eviction, with a total of about $32 billion in back rent. Total chaos, and yet the Pentagon gets close to $700 billion.


Well, it seems Americans who are struggling with finances can’t really count on the government for much needed salvation. Looks like it’s a matter of survival of the fittest, and it appears that the Pentagon is the fittest. Life is not fair, but that is the sad reality. Hopefully things get better for those struggling. A new stimulus package is uncertain, but you can still hope.

 

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