IN HOUSE HEARING, CONGRESSMAN RYAN DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY, SLAMS TRUMP, HEGSETH, AND MUSK FOR CORRUPTION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

In House Hearing, Congressman Ryan Demands Accountability, Slams Trump, Hegseth, and Musk for Corruption at the Department of Defense

In response to growing concerns over Secretary Hegseth’s mishandling of classified information, well-documented dysfunction within the Department of Defense, and Elon Musk’s unprecedented power over government agencies, Congressman Ryan proposed several amendments to force accountability and end corruption at the department

WASHINGTON, DC  –  Yesterday, at the House Armed Services Committee Markup of the FY2025 Reconciliation Bill, Congressman Pat Ryan continued in his push to combat corruption and mismanagement in the federal government. In response to growing concerns over Secretary Hegseth’s mishandling of classified information, well-documented dysfunction within the Department of Defense, and Elon Musk’s unprecedented power over government agencies, Congressman Ryan offered several amendments to force accountability and end corruption at the Department of Defense. Specifically, Ryan proposed legislation to force Secretary Hegseth to develop a new plan to improve operational security in the wake of Signalgate, legislation to reduce Secretary Hegseth’s salary to $1, and legislation to prevent Elon Musk from profiting from defense contracts while serving as a Special Government Employee. Links to videos to Ryan’s statements are included here, here, and here. 

“The American people, especially our men and women in uniform, expect and deserve serious leadership and accountability at the Pentagon. We’ve seen the exact opposite in the first 100 days of this Administration, which is both dangerous and deeply disappointing,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Pete Hegseth has proven himself to be a direct threat to our troops and national security – Hudson Valley families shouldn’t be spending a dollar of their hard-earned money on his salary. And the richest man in the history of the world shouldn’t be getting even more money while they cut health care from tens of millions of Americans. Our community is rightfully looking to crack down on corruption, and I will keep pushing relentlessly to deliver.”

The full text of Ryan’s amendments is included below: 

Signalgate Accountability: Not more than 25 percent of the funds made available to the Department of Defense by this title may be obligated or expended until the Secretary of Defense— (1) conducts a review of the policies, guidance, instructions, standards, practices, and procedures of the Department of Defense, and the provisions of law, that are applicable to the control, communication, transmission, or delivery of classified informa-tion; and (2) submits to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a certification that the Department of Defense possesses a viable mechanism to enforce a prohibition on the communication, transmission, or delivery of classified information by Department of Defense officials using any device, system, service, or application that has not been approved for use for the communication, transmission, or delivery of classified information prior to such use.

Hegseth: The salary of Peter Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, shall be reduced to $1.

Fighting Corruption: None of the funds made available by this title for the Department of Defense may be obligated or expended to enter into a contract with, or otherwise provide assistance to, an entity for which the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, or any similar official is also a special Government employee (as defined by section 202 of title 10 18, United States Code).

Congressman Ryan has repeatedly called out defense leadership for refusing to actually address waste and corruption at the department, especially in light of Elon Musk’s crusade against spending at other government agencies. He also expressed outrage at the fact that this hearing was the first opportunity the committee has had to discuss the classified information breach at the Department of Defense, and implored his colleagues across the aisle to put country over party and finally hold those responsible accountable. 

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