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cali

(114,904 posts) Sun Jun 19, 2016, 12:22 PM Jun 2016

Fine with me. House votes to nix military bands at dinners, dances [View all]

WASHINGTON — The next base Christmas party might not feature any active-duty flutists or tuba players.

The House on Thursday passed legislation sponsored by former A-10 pilot Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., that bars the military from using its many troop bands to entertain at dinners, dances and social events.

The bill limits performances to formal military ceremonies and funeral honors.

It is the latest attempt to cut back the roughly $500 million that the Defense Department spends annually on bands, which date back to the birth of the country’s armed forces but have recently run into criticism as Congress wrangles with tight budgets.

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http://okinawa.stripes.com/news/house-votes-nix-military-bands-dinners-dances

22 replies

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Fine with me. House votes to nix military bands at dinners, dances [View all] cali Jun 2016 OP

Never fear, there's outside contractors ready to step in... JHB Jun 2016 #1

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. cali Jun 2016 #2

It all depends on your sodium intake... JHB Jun 2016 #4

Bingo. Else You Are Mad Jun 2016 #5

No, the band members won't be making that much... JHB Jun 2016 #7

People that work for military contractors Else You Are Mad Jun 2016 #11

Those guys weren't playing in a band JHB Jun 2016 #12

Sadly, you are probably right. AgadorSparticus Jun 2016 #15

Absolutely matt819 Jun 2016 #19

Yes. When I have $500 million to cut, I always start with the band. CincyDem Jun 2016 #3

That's what happens in Education AwakeAtLast Jun 2016 #21

I would rather they spent ten billion on bands and half a billion on guns. CBGLuthier Jun 2016 #6

Damn... 3catwoman3 Jun 2016 #8

WINNER!!!!! monmouth4 Jun 2016 #10

+1 uponit7771 Jun 2016 #13

Damn right, & stopping the hoooge war profiteering. dmr Jun 2016 #18

So much waste in government... everywhere. Seems like an odd place to start but it's a start. cherokeeprogressive Jun 2016 #9

Now they can campaign on having cut military spending. L. Coyote Jun 2016 #14

Well there won't be enough musicians in the future.......... mrmpa Jun 2016 #16

Musicians in US military bands, most if not all of them as far as I know, pangaia Jun 2016 #17

The House voted????? tavernier Jun 2016 #20

They will now take an extended recess AwakeAtLast Jun 2016 #22