At today's House Armed Services Committee hearing, Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) promoted an amendment to deny funds to build a make-up studio for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.
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00:00We will now consider log number 4708 by Ms. Jacobs of California. For what purpose does a gentlewoman from California seek recognition?
00:10Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
00:12Will the clerk please distribute the amendment without objection. The reading of the amendment is dispensed with.
00:17The chair now recognizes the gentlelady from California for the purpose of explaining her amendment.
00:21Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a really simple amendment.
00:24What it says is that no funds can be used to construct, sustain, outfit, or maintain a makeup studio for the Secretary of Defense.
00:33Secretary Hegseth is more interested in concealing and covering up his mishandling of sensitive attack plans and his blemishes than strengthening our national security.
00:43We don't need a made-for-TV defense secretary.
00:46We don't need someone more interested in their appearance than in ensuring the safety of our service members.
00:51But according to a CBS News report, Secretary Hegseth has ordered a new makeup studio at the Pentagon that will cost taxpayers thousands of dollars.
01:00I know my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have been trying to avoid their constituents, so maybe they've forgotten.
01:05But many Americans right now can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on superficial things like this.
01:11Many Americans are taking on debt just to buy groceries.
01:14People can't afford the rising costs of housing, healthcare, childcare, and education when their paychecks aren't going up either.
01:21These reports of the Secretary of Defense spending taxpayer dollars on a makeup studio are further proof that everything this administration is spewing about waste, fraud, abuse, and efficiency is total bullshit.
01:36This is about furthering their agenda, whether it's paying for a tax cut for billionaires or looking good on TV.
01:42This makeup studio isn't going to make Americans safer.
01:45It won't protect the lives of our service members.
01:48It won't strengthen our national security.
01:50Now, many of you have seen my makeup videos.
01:53I wish Congresswoman Mace was still here at this markup because I know she has.
01:58I pay for my own makeup with my own personal funds, not at taxpayer dollars.
02:03And if Secretary Hegseth wants to use his personal funds on this, he should feel free to do so.
02:08I understand he made a pretty penny on Fox and Friends.
02:11But I don't think hardworking American taxpayers should shoulder the cost of Secretary Hegseth's personal vanity project.
02:19To me, this seems pretty common sense.
02:22So I urge all of my colleagues to support my amendment so that not a cent of taxpayer dollars can be spent on this makeup studio.
02:29Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
02:31General Yieldsback Chair recognizes himself.
02:33The Pentagon upgraded the green room adjacent to the press briefing room.
02:37They moved a chair and a mirror from one room in the Pentagon to this room and installed a new light.
02:43I can't believe we're even talking about this.
02:45Wasting time on this takes away from the serious policy discussions about our military needs and its future.
02:52Furthermore, there is no need for this amendment as the modifications are complete.
02:56And even if they weren't, this amendment would do nothing to prevent the DOD from using any of the other $850 billion available to them to accommodate it.
03:07I urge members to oppose the amendment.
03:09Is there any other member that would like to speak on this amendment?
03:12Seeing none, the question occurs, only amendment offered by Ms. Jacobs.
03:18Those in favor will say aye.
03:19Aye.
03:20Those opposed say no.
03:21No.
03:22Appearing the Chair, the noes have it.
03:23A recorded vote is ordered.
03:26This recorded vote will be postponed until a later time.
03:29As soon as in the program.
03:30The Republic .
03:31.
03:32.
03:34standalone .
03:36.
03:37Michael Malcolm loves to be postponed.