“The donation was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of Service members’ salaries and benefits. We are grateful for this donor’s assistance after Democrats opted to withhold pay from troops,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
While the donation made headlines, legal experts raised concerns about the Pentagon’s ability to accept private funds. The Anti-Deficiency Act bars federal agencies from spending money not approved by Congress, leading some to question whether this “generosity” could create legal complications.
“Using anonymous donations to fund our military raises troubling questions of whether our own troops are at risk of literally being bought and paid for by foreign powers.”
Despite the sizable contribution, $130 million barely scratches the surface of the $6.5 billion needed every two weeks to cover military pay and benefits. By rough estimate, that equals about $100 per service member, leaving Congress to grapple with the rest amid ongoing gridlock.Continue reading…
