Watch: Dem rep. confronts DOD official over Pentagon’s annual $41.6 million Viagra budget

14 July 2023

It isn't hard to find Republican social conservatives and evangelical Christian fundamentalists who believe that health programs should fund Viagra but not female contraception. In many cases, Republicans who oppose abortion also oppose covering contraception.

But progressive Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pennsylvania) showed her impatience with double standards during a defense-related congressional hearing on Wednesday, July 12.

Since retaking the U.S. House of Representatives with a small majority in early January, members of Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-California) caucus have declared themselves to be unwavering budget hawks. And Lee pointed out some of the things that go into the United States' military budget.

Lee asked U.S. Defense Department official John Tenaglia, "How much on average does the military spend on Viagra each year?" And he responded, "I don't have that figure."

Lee told Tenaglia, "About $41.6 million. Do you know how many bridges in my district of Pittsburgh could be repaired with that amount?" And she pointed out that rebuilding Pittsburgh's collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge would cost $25.3 million.

The Pennsylvania congresswoman also asked Tenaglia if he knew how much the Defense Department spent on "snow crab and Alaska king crab" in 2018. And when he responded that he didn't know the amount, Lee told him, "According to Open The Books, it was 2.3 million. Do you know how much the Pittsburgh City Council spends each year serving the county's unhoused population? Only 1.2 million, but they're certainly not being served Alaska king crabs."

Watch the video below or at this link:

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