Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) released a scathing statement Monday following news that the Department of Defense (DoD) has again failed to account for its $820 billion taxpayer-funded budget in its annual audit.
The Florida senator criticized the lack of fiscal accountability within the Pentagon, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.
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“The Department of Defense has once again failed to account for its MASSIVE taxpayer-funded budget of over $820 billion,” Senator Scott stated. “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.”
Scott pointed to the growing national debt, now exceeding $36 trillion, as a consequence of what he called “reckless spending” under the Biden administration. He attributed $9 trillion of the increase to President Biden’s tenure and warned of the financial strain on taxpayers.
Looking ahead, Scott expressed confidence that changes under a Trump administration could bring the accountability he believes is necessary.
“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,” he said.
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Scott also criticized what he called the DoD’s focus on “woke” policies, calling for a military that prioritizes strength and deterrence over cultural initiatives.
“We need a lethal, not woke, military that terrifies our enemies and is respected by our allies,” he asserted.
The DoD’s audit failure highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and fiscal management within one of the largest federal agencies. As debates about defense spending and government accountability continue, Scott’s remarks signal a push for stricter oversight and significant reform under future leadership.
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