Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is calling out the Department of Defense (DoD) for failing its seventh-straight annual audit, failing to account for more than its $820 million budget. However, DoD officials stated that the agency has made strides in its ability to properly account for its spending.
According to Fox News, the DoD audits concluded in a “disclaimer of opinion” as auditors could not “form an accurate opinion of the accounts” of the agency.
Sen. Scott stated that the U.S. military needs to spend its funding “smartly” and with some accountability.
“The Department of Defense has once again failed to account for its MASSIVE taxpayer-funded budget of over $820 billion,” said Sen. Scott. “If we want to be the most lethal and powerful fighting force on Earth, we not only need to fund defense but do so smartly. That is impossible when the DoD cannot tell anyone how it spends its nearly $1 TRILLION budget funded by American taxpayers.”
The Florida senator continued, calling out President Joe Biden (D) and his administration for the increased spending attributed to the national debt, but was also optimistic about President-elect Donald Trump’s (R) Secretary of Defense pick, Pete Hegseth.
“The U.S. federal government is now more than $36 TRILLION in debt – that’s $9 TRILLION more than when President Biden took office thanks to his addiction to reckless spending,” Scott said. “It’s time for a reckoning and I am confident that when President Trump takes office, the Senate confirms Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, and the new Department of Government Efficiency gets working, we will finally have accountability to the American taxpayer, and a lethal, not woke, military that terrifies our enemies and is respected by our allies.”
Finally, Scott ended his statement by saying that “our government needs a wakeup call” and that President Trump will deliver fiscal accountability during his time in office.
Moreover, the Florida senator shared that he has been in contact with Mr. Hegseth, and commended his appointment.
Just had a great call with @PeteHegseth.
Pete is 100% committed to building a lethal military that’s feared by our enemies & respected by our allies, while doing more to take care of those who serve our nation & their families. He will do a great job leading the @DeptofDefense.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) November 15, 2024
“Just had a great call with Pete Hegseth. Pete is 100% committed to building a lethal military that’s feared by our enemies & respected by our allies, while doing more to take care of those who serve our nation & their families. He will do a great job leading the Department of Defense,” said Scott.
The junior senator will serve his second term in the upper chamber after defeating challenger, former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL).
