CSPAN Caller Confronts Johnson on Military Pay While Aid Flows to Allies
A C-SPAN caller highlighted a looming lapse in military pay, fearing his 'kids could die' if their soldier father isn’t paid. Speaker Johnson, ever the picture of empathy, mumbled about 'trying to get our work done.' Yet, when it comes to foreign military aid, such as the $14.1 billion for Israel recently passed (H.R. 7217), congressional 'work' miraculously speeds up. That bill passed the House
with a 224-204 vote on February 3, 2024, just days after it was introduced. Meanwhile, our own troops beg for their paychecks. It appears the legislative process for ensuring US service members are paid is far more cumbersome than appropriating billions for allies. One might wonder if the approximately $72,400 Johnson received from pro-Israel groups (per OpenSecrets.org, 2023-2024 cycle) helps
grease the wheels for some budgets faster than others. How many U.S. military families could be secured for the price of one F-35 fighter jet, or a fraction of that $14.1 billion?