With the threats of China and Russia on the horizon, many have worried about America's ability to keep politics out of the armed forces and maintain the mission of preparing an ultimate fighting force. Within the military, progressive initiatives such as diversity training have been implemented on a broad scale. Rep. Marco Rubio (R-FL) as well as other Senators have introduced a bill to combat the spending of taxpayer dollars towards woke approaches.
Known as the Restoring Military Focus Act, this bill looks to stop federal funds attempting to create positions similar to the Department of Defense's newly instituted Chief Diversity Officer and looks to eliminate the position altogether.
“Our military should be focused on protecting our national security, not on promoting woke nonsense. The current direction we are heading in is dangerous. If we don’t reverse course, we risk jeopardizing our military strength, national interests, and security," said Sen. Rubio.
Should the military be focused on pronouns and microaggressions and "hate speech?" Does it improve the readiness of the forces and therefore, increase the military's ability to protect its citizens from threats, foreign and domestic? These are questions that Americans are asking.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), a cosponsor of the bill, called the Biden Administration's approach "irresponsible and reckless."
“Americans expect the Department of Defense to focus on maintaining our military as a combat-ready force capable of defeating and killing our enemies. Instead the Biden administration has transformed the Pentagon into a laboratory for woke policies. The result is breathtakingly irresponsible and reckless," said Sen. Cruz.
U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), James Lankford (R-OK), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) are the additional cosponsors of the legislation in the Senate. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) introduced companion legislation in July of 2021.
In August, Sen. Rubio released a video questioning the military's focus and preparedness as well.
