WASHINGTON, DC (February 18, 2021) — Over 30 faith-based organizations released an open letter calling on Congress to prioritize essential investments in green energy and sustainable infrastructure, affordable healthcare, and in pandemic relief—and to find the money to make these investments by cutting the bloated Pentagon budget.
The letter reads, “whether Congress is prioritizing creating jobs, addressing climate change, or repairing relationships with other nations, cutting Pentagon spending is part of the solution.” It goes on to note that defense spending is notoriously inefficient at job creation, that the Pentagon emits more greenhouse gasses than many countries, and that the United States’ endless wars have been devastating communities abroad.
“The Biden administration has promised to ‘Build Back Better,’ and Congress has the opportunity to help him do this by decreasing the massive and wasteful Pentagon budget, and putting that money into addressing the global problems of our time, including climate change and global health,” said Tori Bateman, policy advocacy coordinator with the American Friends Service Committee. “Pouring money into weapons, war, and the pockets of defense contractors doesn’t keep us safe—it takes resources away from our communities.”
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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.