“Seems Like Pure Racism”: House Approves Greene’s Drastic Move to Reduce Secretary of Defense’s Pay to $1

Gabriel RomanNov 2, 2023

Minute Read

Recent actions in the House have sent shockwaves through social media as Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene pushes a controversial amendment. This would dramatically slash the salary of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Here’s what happened and what the public had to say.

Greene’s Bold Claim

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene shared her thoughts about the Defense Secretary, saying, “He’s destroying our military.” She blames Austin for what she sees as failures, arguing that his leadership has not met the needs of America’s armed forces. According to her, this has led to many internal issues.

A Drastic Proposal

In an assertive move, Greene broadcast her strategy to drastically reduce Austin’s pay. She said, “I would like to introduce an amendment that uses the Holman rule to slash the secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin’s salary, to no more than a $1.” This shows a symbolic yet significant critique of his performance as she sees it.

Worrying Recruitment Numbers

Greene highlighted a significant shortfall in the U.S. Army’s recruitment, stressing the gravity of the situation by pointing out, “Under Secretary Austin, the Army expects to miss its annual recruiting goal by 15,000 this year.” Her statement reflects a deep concern for the readiness and future strength of the military forces.

Naval and Air Force Concerns

Expanding her criticism, Greene provided alarming figures for other military branches. She claimed that “the numbers show that the Army expects to fall 15,000 recruits short of its annual recruiting goal this year.” These statistics serve to underscore her argument that the military is under strain across the board.

The Ukraine Situation

Taking a firm stance on foreign policy spending, Greene declared her opposition to funding what she views as an escalating conflict. “I’m a HARD NO on giving a blank check to Ukraine!” she shared. In her opinion, America should spend money focusing on its own military, clearly showing Greene’s stance on fiscal and military engagement abroad.

Secretary Austin’s Current Salary

Media reports have illuminated Secretary Austin’s salary. Reputable sources like USA Today and Defense News have noted that he earns $221,000 annually. This figure has now become a focal point for Greene’s argument on government spending and accountability, as she argues this is far too much for him.

The Holman Rule Explained

Editorial credit: Evan El-Amin / Shutterstock.

The Holman rule, Greene explained, was her tool of choice to propose a pay cut for Austin. She claimed that this rule allows for specific financial adjustments within federal employment. This helped to frame her proposal as both legitimate and strategically sound despite the arguments of many critics.

Pentagon’s Response

In response to the proposed amendment, a Pentagon spokesperson spoke to The New York Times. They said that Secretary Austin remains dedicated to his role. Apparently, he is “focused on leading the Department of Defense and ensuring our service members worldwide have the resources and support the U.S. military needs.”

Boebert Joins the Fray

Congresswoman Lauren Boebert echoed Greene’s sentiments in her own fiery critique. She aligned herself with the push to utilize salary cuts as a form of political censure. Like Greene, she also targeted a key defense official, this time focusing on Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness Shawn Skelly.

Boebert’s Controversial Remarks

Boebert spared no criticism in her remarks on the House floor. She stated, “This delusional man, thinking he’s a woman, represents the woke-ism harming our military readiness!” Her comment has been seen as a broader criticism of what she deems as misplaced priorities within the military.

A Border Concern

Image Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.

The concerns weren’t confined to military recruitment. A Republican colleague from Florida voiced his amendment. He stressed the importance of national security and criticized the administration’s spending choices. He claimed that America must focus on making its borders safer and boosting enthusiasm for its border patrol.

Womack’s Concern

Editorial credit: DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock.

Representative Steve Womack expressed a different kind of worry. He focused on the message of such amendments. He said, “We don’t know the war’s outcome, but voting for this amendment sends the wrong message.” His words suggest a concern for the geopolitical implications of the House’s decisions.

Greene on Democrats

In a scathing rebuke, Greene accused her political opponents of oppressive measures. She asserted that “Democrats tyrannically shut down the people during COVID and are doing so again.” She positions herself as a defender against what she claims is the overreach of government power.

A Border Concern

Some users felt frustrated and questioned the priorities of Congress, demanding, “When are these idiots going to work on issues to help the average American and stop with the sideshow?” This reflects a growing feeling among the public that the focus on penalizing officials is a distraction. They argued there are more pressing concerns of the everyday citizen.

Womack’s Concern

Image Credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.

In light of the proposed amendments, some citizens offered a counterproposal. They stated that all members of Congress, including “all MAGA Republicans,” should receive just a $1.00 paycheck. This echoes the feeling that fiscal responsibility should start within their ranks. The idea here is to hold lawmakers to the same standards of budgetary constraints that they wish to impose on others.

Fiscal Responsibility and Governance

Other users shared this idea, saying, “Congress and the Senate should also match Secretary of Defense pay of $1 until the budget is passed.” This person insists that lawmakers should not receive their paychecks until they fulfill their fundamental duty to pass a budget. Such comments underline the anger some feel about inaction and procrastination within Congress.

Greene on Democrats

Public opinion on Greene and Boebert’s actions in government is sharply divided. One critic said, “Greene and Boebert should not even be in any position of government.” They dubbed the pair as “the two biggest Karens.” This critic argues that the pair mistakenly believe that their outspoken support for former President Trump and their high volume equals meaningful action.

Public Critique on Military Insight

Image Credit: Nature’s Charm / Shutterstock.

Skepticism about Marjorie Taylor Greene’s knowledge of military affairs is clear. One user bluntly remarked, “Any random person you see on the street knows more about the military and military readiness than MTG.” They continued this criticism, saying, “A three-year-old has a better grasp on reality than she does.”