Video: Congress Tries to Force U.S. Army to Accept New Tanks on Behalf of Defense Contractors

More than 2,000 M-1 Abrams tanks are sitting in a parking lot in Herlong, California because of a disagreement between the U.S. Army, Congress and the military industrial complex.

The U.S. Army's chief of staff General Raymond T. Odierno told Congress, earlier this year, that the U.S. has more than enough combat tanks and the U.S. Army can save taxpayers as much as $3 billion if they do not off repair, or make new tanks, for three years when new technologies are expected, reports CNN (video below).

However, 173 House Democrats and Republicans are urging Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, to support their decision to produce more unwanted tanks.

The 173 members of Congress claim that if the U.S. Army stops tank production and repair, the actions will damage the nation's economy.

While Congress claims they are worried about the economy, their fears seem to be about the military industrial complex. Defense contractor General Dynamics, which builds tanks, gives contributions to Congress when votes come up on weaponry.

Rep. Buck McKeon, Chairman of the House armed services committee, actually told CNN that he didn't know General Dynamics had given him $56,000 in campaign contributions since 2009.

Rep. Silvestre Reyes, who has received $64,000 from General Dynamics since 2001, said he is worried about the workforce if General Dynamics' Lima, California plant is closed for three years.

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