Citing 'greatest adversary' coronavirus, some U.S. Democrats want defense cuts

Calling the novel coronavirus the "greatest adversary" facing the United States, progressive U.S. House of Representatives Democrats called on Tuesday for a reduction in military spending as the country grapples with the pandemic. Twenty-nine House Democrats signed a letter sent to the Democratic chairman and ranking Republican on the House Armed Services, asking them to authorize spending below the $730 billion in this year's military budget.

"Congress must remain focused on responding to the coronavirus pandemic and distributing needed aid domestically," said the letter, which noted that annual defense spending has increased by more than $100 billion, or nearly 20%, over the past three years. "Right now, the coronavirus is our greatest adversary," they wrote.

The coronavirus has killed more than 90,000 Americans and left millions of others out of work, crippling businesses that have closed as the public has been ordered to stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Lawmakers are currently working on the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which sets annual defense spending levels, for next year.

Aides to Representatives Adam Smith, the committee's chairman, and Mac Thornberry, the panel's ranking member, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. The first signers of the letter were Representatives Mark Pocan and Barbara Lee.

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