Arlington, VA – Today the Senate confirmed Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director Mark Lucas issued the following statement:
“Rep. Mulvaney’s confirmation is welcome news to those of us who know that America’s national debt is the greatest long-term national security threat. Our government’s spending problem is weakening our economy and threatening our ability to fund a strong national defense. We look forward to working with Rep. Mulvaney to identify areas of waste within the Department of Defense and across other agencies in the federal government, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. The military community should take the lead in demonstrating the discipline and reserve required to manage federal spending.”
During his nomination process, Rep. Mulvaney stated that “great nations throughout history have traditionally failed from within…because of their inability to manage finances.” Other leaders such as Chuck Hagel, Robert Gates, Leon Panetta, and newly-appointed Defense Secretary James Mattis have also identified the national debt as a major threat to American security.
The Department of Defense is a major driver of America’s $19-trillion-and-growing national debt. One recent, high-profile example of Pentagon waste is the failed F-35 project, which cost taxpayers $400 billion and which Sen. John McCain called “a scandal and a tragedy.”
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