Much of the time, it seems as if the war machine runs on auto-pilot. Indeed, the United States has been engaged in warfare for almost the entirety of our 250 year history. It feels overwhelming to most people to attempt to intervene, yet we are all involved, as our tax dollars feed endless wars, interventions, and weapons transfers fueling violent conflict around the world, (and at home, as evidenced by the murders of US citizens by ICE). So, intervene we must, if we want our government to pursue more productive, life-affirming policies and priorities. 

This week, the Senate will vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to set those war policies and priorities for the next fiscal year. The Trump Administration, enabled by many in Congress, is proposing an outrageous 66% increase in Pentagon and related spending, to over $1.5 trillion per year. While this is a boon to weapons manufacturers, it is to the detriment of everyone and everything else. We must stop this madness.

On the other side of the guns vs. butter ledger, Trump has already slashed over $1 trillion in funding from health care and food assistance programs over the next decade. And he wants to make even bigger cuts to health care, climate, housing, food, and other human needs. Trump recently said we can’t fund child care because we’re fighting wars, in the context of his (and Benjamin Netanyahu’s) illegal war of aggression against Iran. Sometimes he says the quiet part out loud. 

So the task is simple, to tell the Senate to vote “no” on this misappropriation of our tax dollars. It is easy enough to dial the U.S. Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, and ask to be connected to your two senators (requiring two calls). 

In addition to demanding they vote against this gargantuan war budget, tell them to reject the proposed US-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative, and a related Intelligence cooperation agreement, both of which would further entangle the two countries’ war machines, at a time when the government of Israel is deservedly unpopular for its never-ending wars, and its occupation and apartheid against the Palestinian people. 

If you can do more than call, please write to your senators with the following message, with thanks to the People Over Pentagon coalition:

“Dear Senator,

I urge you to vote against President Donald Trump’s request for a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget, to oppose any increase to the Pentagon budget for 2027, and to vote for any amendment to cut that budget.

Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion budget for the Pentagon would be a stunning 66% increase over last year’s already enormous $900 billion Pentagon budget.  Trump is cutting funding for health care, housing, food, education, and climate action.  He is using this money to dramatically increase funding for the Pentagon.

Trump has already cut over a trillion dollars from funds for Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and SNAP, which helps low income people buy food.  Millions of people are expected to lose health care coverage and food. 

The Pentagon is unaccountable to American taxpayers and has never passed an audit. More than half of the Pentagon’s budget (54 percent) is paid to corporate military contractors, whose profits are rising. Further gigantic increases would be grossly irresponsible.

Please oppose Trump’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget and oppose any increase in Pentagon funding this year. This money should be invested in meeting basic needs in our communities.”

Please encourage friends, family and colleagues to call or write as well, and you can tag your senators on social media, with this simple message:

“Dear @ Senator (fill in their names), I urge you to vote against Trump’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget. Please oppose any increase in funding for the Pentagon. This money must be spent on human needs, including health care, housing, food, education, and climate action. #PeopleOverPentagon”

Politicians in Washington, and the masters of war (Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and company) count on a complacent citizenry accepting business as usual to keep their endless war gravy train running. Let them know this outlandish war budget is unacceptable, and that we will be watching and holding them accountable. 

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