The Pentagon faced heavy criticism Tuesday from House Republicans after it requested $114 million for the Defense Department's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and accessibility initiatives for the next fiscal year.
Republicans said the request showed the department was more focused on progressive issues than being prepared for a possible war. The request comes amid a United States military recruiting shortage, a week after the department failed its annual audit for the sixth year in a row.
SENATE JUDICIARY REPUBLICANS PRESSURE DEMOCRATS TO TAMP DOWN SUPREME COURT INVESTIGATION
"Last week, the Pentagon failed its 6th consecutive audit," the House Oversight Committee wrote in a post to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "This week, they requested $114 million for DEI. The Biden Admin’s focus on progressivism over warfighting continues to exacerbate the military recruiting crisis and calls into question our level of military preparedness."
Last week, the Pentagon failed its 6th consecutive audit.
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) November 21, 2023
This week, they requested $114 million for DEI.
The Biden Admin’s focus on progressivism over warfighting continues to exacerbate the military recruiting crisis and calls into question our level of military… pic.twitter.com/UO7WrZphgB
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) also accused President Joe Biden of making the department ill-equipped for a future war.
"The Pentagon has no idea where the hell all the taxpayer money that has been funding it went for the past 6 years, but they have the audacity to ask for more funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs?" Greene asked in a post to X. "Does Joe Biden want the military to be a lethal fighting force or a clown show??"
The department's request was included in its Strategic Management Plan for fiscal years 2022 to 2026, and it marks the highest request for the initiatives to date. The department requested $68 million for the initiatives in 2022, and $86.5 million in 2023, according to the Daily Wire.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
"The FY 2024 President’s Budget request demonstrates the DoD’s commitment to DEIA and includes $114.7 million for dedicated diversity and inclusion activities," department officials said in the request. "This funding across the Military Departments, OSD Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute is investing in programs and initiatives aimed at furthering DEIA, and incorporating DEIA values, objectives, and considerations in how we do business and execute our missions."
Details on what the 2024 DEI initiatives include have not been released.