PHILADELPHIA (February 15, 2022) As Congress reportedly prepares to add billions more to an already astronomical Pentagon budget, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) released a new poll of U.S. adults showing high levels of support for Pentagon spending cuts. AFSC is a Quaker organization that has worked for peace and justice for more than a century and has long advocated for cuts to military spending.
Overall, 56% of survey respondents supported cutting military spending. Key findings include majority support for spending cuts among veterans, current service members and those with family members in the military. The survey also showed strong support for cuts from people of color and people under the age of 45, as well as a plurality of support from Evangelicals.
“I am really excited to share these findings as they clearly point towards strong support for cutting military spending and reinvesting that money in our communities,” said Beth Hallowell, Director of Research and Analytics for AFSC. “This gives me hope that with a hearty amount of support for Pentagon budget cuts coming from their constituents, members of Congress will take these findings into account as they continue to negotiate FY22 appropriations bills, and President Biden will include cuts to the Pentagon budget in his FY23 budget request.” Hallowell has led national messaging and opinion research for AFSC for more than seven years.
The survey was fielded by YouGov in January 2022 and included a national sample of 1240 adults. The survey was authored by AFSC, with the support of Friends Committee on National Legislation, New Paradigm Strategy Group, Project on Government Oversight, Public Citizen, and Rethink Media.
"These findings clearly show that the American people want their taxpayer dollars channeled back into their lives and wellbeing, not churning out profits for defense contractor CEOs,” said Savannah Wooten, People Over Pentagon Campaign Coordinator for Public Citizen. “Reallocating excess Pentagon spending into domestic and human needs is not only smart, it's popular and the way forward for the country."
AFSC plans to share these findings widely with Members of Congress, advocates, and the media as part of the ongoing effort to cut Pentagon spending.
Learn more about the study here.
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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social systems.