Arkansas senator Tom Cotton, an Army veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, has proposed a $26-billion “emergency” supplement to next year’s defense budget. Speaking on the floor of the Senate Wednesday, the freshman Republican noted the threats from a resurgent Russia, an aggressive China, and a dangerous Iran.
“Our armed forces face a growing number of threats and a shrinking budget,” Cotton said. The former Army captain noted a number of shortages across the branches, such as the Air Force’s deficit of airmen and pilots, in addition to reports of salvaging scrap to maintain equipment and weapons.
“We’re wrong to ask our military to work and risk their lives under these condtions, and we cannot wait until the next fiscal year to fix this crisis,” Cotton said. “Because this is a crisis. This is no way to treat our troops, and the military needs relief now.”
Watch the speech below.
