Issue Position: Defense - Defense Department Fiscal Mismanagement

Issue Position

In his work as Ranking Democrat of the Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, Congressman Kucinich has emerged as a strong critic of the Pentagon's financial problems. In April, the Congressman wrote a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, along with subcommittee Chairman Christopher Shays (R-CT), suggesting that the Secretary make fixing the Pentagon's books "nothing short of [his] number one mission." In the letter, Reps. Kucinich and Shays highlighted evidence that the Department of Defense is unable to validate trillions of dollars in accounting entries, unable to account for billions of dollars in inventory, and unable to explain billions of dollars in unneeded equipment. "No major part of the Department of Defense has been able to pass the test of an independent audit," wrote the representatives. This is in violation of both the Constitution's Accountability Clause and the Anti-Deficiency Act, which require federal agencies to accurately report how they spend the money they are appropriated.

Congressman Kucinich has been similarly critical of the Defense Department's acquisition strategy. In two different subcommittee hearings, Congressman Kucinich has expressed frustration with the Pentagon's development of the F-22 fighter plane. Whereas the Air Force was initially supposed to spend $40 billion to acquire 888 planes, it will now spend $256 million per plane to buy just 188 planes. The result will be an older, less reliable force.

"Why is the Pentagon proceeding on this course" asked Congressman Kucinich in his opening statement during an August hearing on the F-22. "If these purchases result in a fleet that breaks down more and flies less, shouldn't we buy more aircraft that, although less sophisticated, may be more reliable? Currently defense spending is approaching the average levels of the Cold War in the 1970s. Yet, the Pentagon is seeking billions more. Congress deserves reassurance that this money is going toward a force that is more effective, not less so."

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