In a recent development, the Pentagon has reportedly requested approximately $114 million for programs related to "diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility" for the fiscal year 2024.
This request has sparked criticism from Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has publicly questioned the department's financial accountability following its failure to pass a sixth consecutive audit.
Greene expressed her concerns in a pointed statement, saying, "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? Does Joe Biden want the military to be a lethal fighting force or a clown show??"
Fox News reports that the Department of Defense outlined its commitment to DEIA in its Strategic Management Plan for the fiscal years 2022 to 2026. The plan states, "The FY 2024 Presidents Budget request demonstrates the DoDs commitment to DEIA and includes $114.7 million for dedicated diversity and inclusion activities."
The plan further elaborates that the funding will be invested in programs and initiatives aimed at incorporating DEIA values, objectives, and considerations into the department's operations and mission execution. The department had previously allocated $68 million for DEIA initiatives in the 2022 fiscal year and $86.5 million in 2023.
The Department of Defense's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request emphasizes the responsibility of leaders at all levels to foster an inclusive climate that supports diversity and does not tolerate retaliation against those filing complaints. The document states, "Ultimately, recruiting and retaining a force with diverse backgrounds, thought, experience, expertise, and education enhances DoDs global joint warfighter capabilities fundamental to all DoD activities."
However, the Pentagon's financial accountability has been called into question as it recently failed its sixth annual audit in a row, passing only seven of 29 sub-audits in 2023. Auditors discovered that approximately half of the Department of Defenses claimed assets could not be accounted for.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin acknowledged the need for improvement, stating to The Hill that he "feels we need to be doing better at this and moving faster," but conceded that a successful audit is still years away.
The departments $3.8 trillion in assets and $4 trillion in liabilities were scrutinized by around 1,600 auditors, who conducted approximately 700 site visits.
Login