Marjorie Taylor Greene's Move to Cut Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's Salary Unveils MAGA Republican-Military Officials Rift Under Biden Administration

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene proposes cutting Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's salary to $1, but the proposal is unlikely to pass.

As Congress races against the clock to find a solution to avoid a government shutdown, there has been an intriguing proposal from hard-right lawmakers. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia put forth an amendment on the House floor, suggesting a drastic cut to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's salary, reducing it to just $1. The proposal was put to a voice vote, with several lawmakers voting in favor, leading to its inclusion in a defense appropriation bill. However, it is highly unlikely that this amendment will gain any traction, as the spending bill itself was already destined to fail in the Senate. The addition of Austin's salary cut only further diminishes the chances of the bill passing.

This proposal from Greene and her unidentified Republican supporters appears to be an attempt to appease the few hard-right conservatives, including Greene herself, who are currently hindering the progress of government funding plans. Greene has been vocal about blaming Austin for the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021. The Biden administration faced significant challenges in evacuating military personnel and Afghan allies, underestimating the speed at which the Taliban would seize control of the country. Greene took aim at Austin in September, accusing him of failing in his role as Secretary of Defense and jeopardizing national security.

Austin, a retired four-star Army general, made history as the first Black secretary of defense. He received overwhelming support during his confirmation, with a Senate committee voting 93-2 in favor. The two dissenting votes came from Republican senators Josh Hawley and Mike Lee. Despite Greene's proposal and the ongoing resistance from hard-right Republicans, Austin has remained silent on the matter, with a Pentagon spokesperson stating that it would be inappropriate to comment on pending legislation.

The rejection of the defense bill by hard-right Republicans on September 21 further highlights the obstructionist approach they are taking towards the government's spending agenda. This bill typically garners bipartisan support, making their actions all the more concerning. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy expressed his frustration, describing these individuals as wanting to "burn the whole place down," emphasizing that such an approach is ineffective.

As of now, there has been no response from Representative Greene or her spokesperson regarding this proposal. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold, but it is clear that the chances of this amendment gaining traction are slim. The focus now shifts to finding a viable solution to avoid a government shutdown and address the pressing issues at hand.

Share With Others