Julia Gledhill
@JuliaGledhill
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NatSec Reform @StimsonCenter. Co-host @UnDiplomaticPod. Views are mine tho🤗
Washington, DC
Joined July 2019
So journalists are supposed to cherish the mere opportunity to ask questions of our PUBLIC OFFICIALS? Lest they be PHYSICALLY REMOVED for making our Secretary of State uncomfortable? About his role in a GENOCIDE? These ppl are living on Mars.
Incredible. This is how CNN framed it. "Cringeworthy heckling" by "activists." And while footage of Sam Husseini being dragged out by police plays, one CNN personality heralds the "open policy" in the press briefing rooms.
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The Pentagon can't keep track of trillions of dollars in government property, failing audits for the past 6 years. But Congress rewards it with more funding anyway, at an incredible opportunity cost to the American people. Thanks for sharing, @MorePerfectUS! I'm a big fan🫶.
The Pentagon can’t account for nearly 3 TRILLION dollars. We don’t have universal health care, sick leave, or enough public transportation. Yet endless money is funneled to corrupt defense contractors, and goes unaccounted for.
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"More than twenty years into the F-35’s development, the aircraft remains in every practical and legal sense nothing more than a very expensive prototype.". @dan_grazier with the latest on the F-35👇.
NEW: @dan_grazier's look into the Pentagon's use of a phony classification to hide information about the #F35's poor performance. Read the full report ⬇️ ⬇️
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I read that 168 page report so you don't have to🫡. The data is clear: defense contractors cry poor to Congress so they can deliver excessive financial returns to shareholders at the expense of internal investment & ultimately, taxpayers. Check it out👇.
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War is a racket, and so is the drumbeat for great power conflict. My take on the argument for a military buildup to "deter" China or Russia, and its potential economic consequences.
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War profiteering at its finest. @WilliamHartung and I write about who is financially benefitting from war in Ukraine on @TomDispatch & via @commondreams 👇.
Even before hostilities broke out, the CEOs of major weapons firms were talking about how tensions in Europe could pad their profits.
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So Northrop Grumman is using the B-21 bomber to sell Congress on an industry-wide bailout for inflation. without proving how inflation is impacting the B-21. The rest of us can't just cry inflation when we ask for raises. We show the numbers. Contractors should too.🧵.
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By way of professional updates. I'm absolutely thrilled to share that after an incredible year and a half @FCNL, I'm joining @POGOwatchdog as an Analyst in the Center for Defense Information! I cannot wait to get started in the new year 🤗.
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Can't believe tonight was my last national call with @FCNL's incredible grassroots network🥺 . The Senate wouldn't even be *considering* a vote on repealing the 2002 Iraq War authorization if it weren't for y'all. Thank you ♥️.
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Read @WilliamHartung and my analysis of how Pentagon contractors are making bank on the crisis in Ukraine — now in @Salon! .
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Literal first thing I see upon exiting the train station in Spoleto, Italy. and it's by the same artist who created the mountain & clouds sculpture in the Hart Senate office building. What are the ODDS
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Okay friends! Take a seat, grab a snack, & settle in for @POGOwatchdog's #FY23NDAA amendment highlights💫. Obviously, the House can't vote on all 1,000+ amendments offered. Next week, @RulesDemocrats will determine which ones get a full chamber vote on the House floor. 🧵.
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Same squad, new digs.
I’m happy to announce that my colleagues @NuclearWilson (not pictured, unfortunately), @JuliaGledhill, and I have joined the great team at the @StimsonCenter today. We’re excited about the opportunity and all the good defense work we will do together!
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Thrilled to see @60Minutes cover military price gouging. They reference a recent DOD contract finance study showing how well contractors are doing financially, due in part to industry consolidation & the monopoly power that comes with it.
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If lawmakers are really serious about re-orienting budget priorities a la debt ceiling, they'll scream to the mountaintops about the ever-shrinking defense industry & its $ impacts. In the meantime, it'd be rad if they took good advice and cut some Pentagon waste. New piece👇✍️.
Experts sound the alarm on the “merger mania” in the military-industrial complex
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Open Senate #NDAA hearings pls!!. @WilliamHartung and I write about why military spending is so damn high & how further increasing it actually HURTS national security. The cherry on top is that much of the deliberation over the natsec topline is *closed to the public* 👀🥴.
"Here’s the sad reality of the national security state: we taxpayers will fork over nearly $1.5 trillion this year in national security spending and yet the policy-making process behind such outlays will essentially remain out of our control."
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I had a great time discussing Pentagon oversight & Ukraine spending with @today_explained @voxdotcom! Tune in Wednesday🤑
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It shouldn't be a given that Congress throws tens of billions more $ than @POTUS even requested at a department that can't even keep track of its money RIGHT NOW. Thanks for featuring me in this piece on the ever-growing Pentagon budget @connorobrienNH @politico!.
NEW: It was a surprise to many when Dems bucked Biden last year and supersized his Pentagon budget. Now, Congress is poised to do it again, with even more money at stake, and it's anything but shocking. My latest:
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The Pentagon has already requested over $17 billion in extra-budgetary funding this year. all because of a special legal requirement for DoD "wishlists.". POGO led 14 groups in calling on Congress to get rid of those requirements. See our letter below 👇.
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It's a beautiful day to ban Congress members from owning & trading stocks🌞. Massive props to the inimitable @Veritas_DHG, who has led @POGOwatchdog's charge to institute such a ban for well over a year. He's pictured here explaining the merits of the newly intro'ed Ethics Act🔥
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.@WilliamHartung and I wrote about how Pentagon contractors are cashing in on the crisis in Ukraine. Check it out @TomDispatch👇👇👇 .
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"Now, in a stark departure from the norm, the Defense Department is on record opposing those requirements and denouncing them as antithetical to fiscal discipline.". could not agree more 🥹.
SCOOP: The Pentagon opposes—for the first time—legal requirements that the brass send Congress annual wish lists requesting $ for projects that didn’t make it into the budget. Hawks love the lists, but critics say the practice bloats the defense budget.
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In professional news~ I no longer work at POGO. After 2 yrs, I decided it was time to take a breather & pursue other opportunities. I'll be reading & sleeping, mostly, but writing some too. stay tuned 😊.
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The Senate needs to get moving on establishing permanent inspectors general at State & DOD. @POGOwatchdog led a group of 12 orgs demanding they do just that! Read below to learn why we need permanent IGs to ensure independent oversight of Ukraine aid. 👇.
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Taxpayers deserve to see their members of Congress take recorded votes on these important Pentagon budget cut amendments. After all, taxpayers are funding a @DeptofDefense that consistently fails comprehensive financial audits. yet receives a yearly blank check. 🫠.
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screaming crying throwing up.
82 printers worth $412 apiece listed as being worth $1.1 million each in the Army’s databases. 17 refrigerators worth $24,170 each at $652,606 per unit. A simulator for the base fire department worth $499,950 was listed at $36.3 million.
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The highest court in the land should have the highest ethical standards, which is why @POGOwatchdog supports the #SCOTUS Ethics, Recusal, & Transparency Act. @Veritas_DHG pictured below👇🔥
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Hard launch heyyyyy.
I'm pleased to announce officially the launch of the National Security Reform Program at @StimsonCenter with my colleagues @JuliaGledhill and @NuclearWilson. We are all excited by the opportunity to influence the national security debate.
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It's been years since DOD & State had permanent inspectors general. With the sheer magnitude and speed at which the federal government is sending aid to Ukraine, the Senate needs to ensure that Ukraine aid is spent as effectively as possible. Permanent IGs now, pls!.
NEW: A transpartisan coaliton of advocacy groups have sent a letter to congressional leaders calling for oversight of US aid to #Ukraine
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Military contractors dominate ad space in the DC metro, violating a ban on ads influencing public policy and targeting decisionmakers on their commutes to Capitol Hill & the Pentagon. Excellent reporting from @brtthnz!.
Ever notice how defense contractors seem to advertise in DC subway stops near major government institutions? I spent five weeks in the subway system to learn more. A thread 🧵:
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One way military contractors price gouge is by witholding cost & pricing data—the best tool DOD has to ensure it's paying fair prices on contracts. Lest we forget the Pentagon's infamous $10k toilet seat! A little cost info goes a long way in ballparking contractor profits. .
Thrilled to see @60Minutes cover military price gouging. They reference a recent DOD contract finance study showing how well contractors are doing financially, due in part to industry consolidation & the monopoly power that comes with it.
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.@RepMarkPocan says we flush defense dollars down the toilet & we need to stop rewarding the building of amphibious ships that sink and a F-35 program that has 100s of deficiencies. Couldn't agree more 🙃.
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Grateful for the opportunity to talk national security spending, Ukraine aid oversight, & threat inflation @CNBC!. Watch here:
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The US led global war on terror has displaced 38 million ppl, killed around 4.5 million, and cost the United States over $8 trillion. Meanwhile acts of terror have increased worldwide. Non-military tools to combat the threat of terrorism are much more effective, and way cheaper.
If war is not the answer, what is?. In an insightful new report, @HBrandonSmith breaks down an array of non-military tools to respond to security threats that are far more effective but too often underappreciated, underutilized, and under-resourced.
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We're inching closer and closer to a trillion dollars in national security spending in 2023. I'm excited to join this @QuincyInst panel on Thursday to discuss how the heck that happened & what we can do about it! Register below 👇.
How Much Is Enough? Reining in Runaway Pentagon Spending. 🗓️Thursday | 6/16.🕛12:00pm ET.🗣️@Gadams1941, @shaillybarnes @JuliaGledhill @WilliamHartung. 👇👇REGISTER👇👇.
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Hey @DOGE, my friends and I outlined how you can save $60 billion+ at the Pentagon. Check it out: @WilliamHartung @GabeRMurphy.
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.@ewarren wrote a letter to @SecDef today, urging him to significantly curb Pentagon wish lists. She calls the agency's second wishlist of the year "pure budgetary bloat." I couldn't agree more. 👇🔥.
.@POGOwatchdog's @JuliaGledhill OP ED: "Being strong on defense can’t just mean throwing money at the Pentagon — it should mean prioritizing military readiness and holding the Department of Defense accountable for wasteful spending."
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The Pentagon has a long way to go to pass an audit. and Ukraine oversight isn't just making sure money is spent as intended — it's also ensuring the U.S. makes the absolute MOST of that money & doesn't overpay contractors. Thank you for having me, @today_explained!.
Congress wants more oversight of how the billions in US aid to Ukraine are being used. But our own military can’t even seem to pass an audit. @washingtonpost reporter @DanLamothe and @POGOwatchdog's @JuliaGledhill explain.
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Stoked to join Undiplomatic with these folks!!.
“Peace through strength” is a chauvinist meme. Teaser from our forthcoming episode @JuliaGledhill @mattduss
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My piece for @ReligionMag on how faith communities are working together to repeal the Iraq war authorization 👇.
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The full House votes TOMORROW on @RepBarbaraLee's bill to repeal the law that authorized war against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime. IN 2002🥲. Rep. Lee has championed this issue for more than half my LIFE. It's time to put the 2002 Iraq #AUMF in the dustbin of history.
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Rules should make the full House vote on amendments regarding:. 💸Pentagon bloat.💰military contracting reform.🚨the Pentagon's revolving door.🧐corporate financial transparency.🤑arms sales transparency.⏰overdue 2002 AUMF repeal .🙅♀️the F-35 & Littoral Combat Ship programs.
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As a former @jqasociety student leader, it was such a treat to see old faces and new at the society's Foreign Policy Leadership Development Program a couple weeks ago. Thanks for having me!
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This is a huge deal & would not be happening wo the fearless leadership of @RepBarbaraLee @timkaine @SenToddYoung @FCNL @WinWithoutWar & so many other hardcore advocates & civil society orgs that have been doing the leg work on Capitol Hill to get to this point for over a decade.
Vote scheduled: At 5:30pm, on Tuesday, March 21st, the Senate will proceed to a roll call vote on the motion to proceed to Cal. #25, S.316, Repealing AUMF Against Iraq.
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The Pentagon's wish list requests for FY2023 exceed $24 billion. That's more than the entire budget requests for @USDA @USDOL @USTreasury @EPA. even @NASA_Technology!. & these wish list items are OUTSIDE the Pentagon's regular budget request, like BFFR & get rid of em🥹.
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.@SaraJacobsCA is doing the most to prevent anti-LGBTQ #NDAA amendments this evening on @HASCDemocrats. She notes she reps the biggest military district in the country and no one has ever called about drag shows. they're calling about military housing!.
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It's been a few days since the House version of the #NDAA leaked, so here's my *non-exhaustive list* of the good, the bad, and the missing from the chairman's mark. 🧵.
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I mentioned that the Pentagon relies on contractors to keep track of spare parts for the F-35. Well, Congress rejected a proposal for the government to do that work in the final NDAA, despite Lockheed losing/damaging over $85m worth of parts in the past 5 years.
One of our most read this past week by @JuliaGledhill: Pentagon can't account for 63% of nearly $4 trillion in assets
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Feliz ano novo from coastal Portugal, folks!. I'm offline for another week, gearing up to push even harder for a smaller & more effective Pentagon budget 😤🫡
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These people simply don't want to do their jobs. Tolerating executive overreach on matters of war is easy. Actually declaring war is hard, as it should be.
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@DeputySecState Wendy Sherman: I want to be very clear, the Biden/Harris administration believes the 2002 AUMF has outlived its usefulness and should be repealed. The 2002 AUMF is also woefully outdated in terms of our diplomatic relationship with Iraq, a close partner.
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Starting off strong on the Pentagon budget, @RepBarbaraLee & @RepMarkPocan led two amendments to: . ⏪Reverse @HASCDemocrats' $37 BILLION INCREASE to @POTUS' Pentagon budget request and .✂️Cut $100 billion from the current defense topline in fiscal year 2023.
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Few people prompt laugh-crying like @andrewmcockburn does. A wonderfully honest piece on the richest war machine in history👇.
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Imagine spending millions of dollars on something with ~no product reviews~. Drop the phony classifications, @DeptofDefense. The public deserves to know how the weapons it pays for actually perform.
We are part of a coalition calling on the office of the Director of Operational Test & Evaluation to make public all unclassified information in this year’s annual weapons testing report. Read the full letter:
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Next up is a total no-brainer. The 2002 law that authorized war against Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime is still current. Any president could abuse it, which is why @RepBarbaraLee offers an amdt to repeal it every year. Hope to see the House repeal the 2002 AUMF again this year💪.
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The 2002 #AUMF is finally made a relic of the past with a congressional vote. Repealing this law is a small step Congress can take to move the United States off of its war footing, and toward a new era of U.S. foreign policy no longer defined by senseless counterterrorism wars.
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Congress shouldn't give the defense industry an inflation bailout in the #NDAA this year. Read why below!.
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imagine being the Pentagon's internal watchdog. as a *full time* side gig to your actual job at the EPA lmao.
“EPA and DoD, those are incredibly large organizations. I think it’s troublesome that one individual is responsible for overseeing both at this time.”.
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I spoke with @tteminWFED @FederalNewsNet about a pilot program to help prevent military price gouging by incentivizing defense contractors to play nice with the Pentagon. Listen here 👇👇
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.@RepDeluzio "The intense consolidation of the defense industrial base makes it too easy for contractors to price gouge, ripping off the military and the public.". Via @connor_echols @RStatecraft 👇
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NDAA season is kicking into high gear! Help us help you by reading our recs below👇👇👇.
🚨 Read @JuliaGledhill on POGO's recommendations for the #NDAA, which include:.✅ opposing increases to POTUS' Pentagon budget.✅ repealing 2002 #AUMF.✅ boosting financial transparency in the defense industry.✅ protecting military whistleblowers .
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Inflation obviously sucks (mostly for consumers), but anecdotes don't cut it when you're lobbying Congress for over a billion more in hard-earned taxpayer money. There are also several other reasons Northrop's proposals don't make sense. I explain below!.
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Oversight of Ukraine aid is SO critically important y'all. We need public👏reporting👏& permanent inspectors general @StateDept & @DeptofDefense to prevent waste and abuse of taxpayer $. @POGOwatchdog joined partners in demanding Congress take action👇.
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Time to get rid of Pentagon wish lists, folks! They allow the military services to just. dodge the Sec Def and ask Congress directly for more $. They're bad for taxpayer pockets and bad for national security policy.
Right after that, CPC chair Pramila Jayapal has an amendment to remove the legal requirement for military unfunded requirement lists. (Critics of the DoD budget argue it's a backdoor to increased/wasteful spending. They're typically a good guidepost for how Congress will add $.).
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Enough is enough. @SecDef testified that the president's budget request is "robust" & "allows us to get the capabilities that we need.". Proposals to⬆️the defense topline aren't about national security. @HASCDemocrats should vote against any & all of them tomorrow.
NEW: Dem Jared Golden filed the amendment to add $37B to Biden's budget at tomorrow's NDAA markup. Includes 5 more ships, more aircraft, $2.5B to address fuel costs, $550M more for Ukraine, extra Patriot batteries. Text: Summary:
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Highly recommend working for @_ElizabethRB👇 She's so smart, organized, and communicative. You'll learn a ton about foreign policymaking fr fr.
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Protecting my peace at the #IACC2022 instead of deep diving into the NDAA today. much love to my defense peeps digesting wins and losses, the accountability work continues🫶
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The iron triangle extends far beyond lil ole DC. @POGOwatchdog and @washingtonpost show just how far, reporting on hundreds of former US military personnel working for foreign interests🥴👇.
BREAKING from @POGOwatchdog and @washingtonpost: The @StateDept has cleared 500+ former US military personnel to work for foreign governments/businesses. More than half went to work for authoritarian regimes with appalling human rights records.
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This guy literally covered up rampant sexual misconduct affecting 10,000+ DHS employees & then twiddled his thumbs when a report found 30 DHS agents packing gov-issued guns had VIOLENTLY ABUSED their partners. What does one need to do to get sacked by the president these days?.
The Homeland Security Inspector General has repeatedly demonstrated he is not up to the job. He needs to be fired. Now.
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Industry uses the jobs card, campaign contributions, & valuable stock trading opps to capture Congress & enforce its will. Lawmakers⬆️Pentagon $$ despite consistent weapon acquisition failures & repeated instances of companies price gouging. @WilliamHartung & I explain below👇.
Spending unlimited: How the arms industry scams taxpayers
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inexcusable to punt on 2002 AUMF repeal AGAIN. the House has voted to repeal it 4x can we just let it go I beg.
Not included in the NDAA:.-Manchin permitting reform.-SAFE banking.-repeal of 2002 Iraq War AUMF.-JCPA.-waiver for 737 MAX certification.
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So excited to be featured on @npratc, talking about one major potential pitfall of surging weapon production: corporate price gouging💰. Check it out here🤠👇
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Giggling and kicking my feet.
BREAKING from Mexico 🇺🇸🇲🇽 President Claudia Sheinbaum has just penned a letter to Donald Trump. It’s brilliant, firm, and unflinching — a document that will set the tone for an entirely new era of US-Mexican relations. I have posted the English translation below:. “Dear
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.@POGOwatchdog & 11 other groups sent .@POTUS a letter today, explaining how lowering the defense topline would promote fiscal discipline at the .@DeptofDefense and ultimately, improve military readiness. Read it below👇👇👇.
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God forbid a Woman In Politics be fun and cool.
The Prime Minister of Finland gave an emotional public apology for having a party. War criminals get away with mass murder with less scrutiny.
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Why? Because contractors didn't provide any data showing inflation's impacts!. Northrop doesn't appear to be providing any such data this year, either. But that hasn't stopped it from going to appropriators with a request for $1,500,000,000.
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Moving right along to the Pentagon's revolving door. The full House should absolutely vote on @MondaireJones' amendments to: . 📏Extend the prohibition on lobbying for officials leaving the @DeptofDefense from 2-4 years &.🕵️♀️Enhance recusal requirements for DOD officials.
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On the subject of Pentagon waste, @RepGaramendi & @RepSchakowsky offered amendments to address price gouging by military contractors. The @DeptofDefense needs more than purchasing power (cough cough inflation doesn't justify a higher topline), it needs to be a smarter buyer!.
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Same. My advice is to invest in your communities and get involved on campus. Go to the guest lecture events and ask hard questions. Go to office hours and get to know your professors. Join or start a @jqasociety chapter. Canvass in the midterms. Join student government.
I feel for all the freshmen in college experiencing/processing this election on campuses rn. I was in your shoes 8 years ago! It was a weird time!.
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Lmao at kamala repeating biden's "we're not at war anywhere line" but with too much detail. Girl get us out of Iraq and Syria idc if you don't consider it an "active war zone".
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The Senate is considering repeal of the 2002 #AUMF, the law that enabled the Iraq War. @SenatorMenendez reminds his colleagues that Saddam Hussein is long gone, Iraq is NOT Iran, and repealing the 2002 #AUMF has NOTHING TO DO with Iran. 🫠🙌.
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Western weapon makers are preparing to set up shop in Ukraine, raising questions about how the U.S. government will guide industry efforts to establish weapon manufacturing capacity there. Short piece up today!
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Thanks for having me on @securitydpod @jqasociety!.
New episode!. We spoke with @JuliaGledhill of @StimsonCenter about the defense budget. This is our 50th episode and we were psyched to have a former @jqasociety chapter leader who's now a respected policy expert and a new co-host of @UnDiplomaticPod!. Great episode, listen now!
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Disasters are not the cost of doing business, they are a choice – an easy one when Norfolk Southern will likely see minimal if any impact on its bottom line🫰. I truly wish the executives at Norfolk Southern the worst. Justice for East Palestine.
NEW: We went down to East Palestine for a week to get residents’ side of the story after the Ohio rail disaster. People told us they’re getting sick and their pets are dying, while Norfolk Southern is trying to cover it up. @heyjohnrussell reports.
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Today my colleague @dan_grazier published the first in a series of reports dissecting the U.S. response to the real security threats posed by China. Spoiler: China isn't 10 ft tall & has "at least as much to lose from a shooting war as the United States, if not more.”.
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*positive non-NDAA news*. @RepSummerLee @OversightDems killed it pressing witnesses on what the @DeptofDefense is doing to prevent corporate price gouging & reach a clean audit opinion. She notes that the DOD has lost over a ~million~ F-35 parts valued at. over $85m🤡.
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Finally, big props to @RepAdamSmith for making a huge stink about the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program during HASC markup a couple weeks ago. Personally, I'd like to see who votes against his amdt to retain the LCS cut & force the Navy to keep ships it doesn't even want🤡.
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Pedestrians/cyclists should get right of way when it's this cold.
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@SenatorMenendez: Don't think we would be doing our job if we don't repeal the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. These are not needed for any military activities. Our duty as senators is not to dream up hypotheticals. Administration must come to Congress should it need new AUMF.
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This is what dating in DC is like.
"I love working at the Department of Defense but I would never work for the military-industrial complex.".
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When I'm 74. I hope to read, travel, and spend time with the people I love, at my leisure. When I retire, I hope I'm in a place where my colleagues implore me to stay. The mark of a good leader is one who knows when to hand over the keys, and gently weigh in from a distance.
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HASC leadership positions - . Mikes: 3 Women: 0 POC: 0.
JUST IN: House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers just named his slate of subcommittee chairs:.Tactical Air/Land: Rob Wittman.Seapower: Trent Kelly.Strat Forces: Doug Lamborn.Readiness: Mike Waltz.Cyber: Mike Gallagher.Personnel: Jim Banks.Intel/Special Ops: Jack Bergman.
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