McCollum Statement on Disclosure of Pentagon Cost Savings Report

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the Washington Postreported that the Department of Defense discovered $125 billion in potential cost savings and then suppressed the disclosure of that information:

“It is absolutely outrageous that the Defense Department discovered massive potential cost savings, refused to take action on them, and actually hid their findings from Congress.

“House Republicans, who have wasted so much time and money on politically-motivated inquiries, should open an immediate investigation into cost savings and financial transparency at the Pentagon. A comprehensive Congressional review will help ensure that future reports on potential cost savings are subject to a full public discussion.

“On the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will keep asking the tough questions about Defense Department spending. Given the findings of this report on the scope for cost savings at the Pentagon, I continue to strongly oppose President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals for large overall increases in defense spending at the expense of important domestic priorities.”