In his 2020 primary campaign for Congress, when asked one area of federal spending that should be reduced, Josh Hicks replied, “We have to take a serious look at our defense budget and how the enormous amount of taxpayer dollars are being used”

Defense Spending

o In a June 18, 2020, questionnaire with the State Journal, when asked to name one area of federal spending that should be reduced and why, Josh Hicks replied, “We have to take a serious look at our defense budget and how the enormous amount of taxpayer dollars are being used. During my time in the Marine Corps, not only was I barely paid a living wage, my equipment and that of my fellow Marines was nearly always inadequate, broken, missing or barely hanging on.

“When I see our government spending nearly a trillion dollars a year, I am concerned about fraud, waste and abuse by government contractors who rake in billions of dollars while our service members are poorly paid and underequipped. That giant line item of federal spending is a good place to start.”[1]

[1] “Meet the U.S. House 6th District Democratic candidates,” State Journal, June 19, 2020