During the campaign Congressman Auchincloss came out in favor of cutting the Pentagon budget and for ending our forever wars. Now that he’s in the House, the congressman has agreed to join us to discuss the prospects for making these crucial changes.

After graduating from Harvard College, Jake joined the Marines. He commanded infantry in Afghanistan and special operations in Panama. He’s now a major in the reserves. With his experience Rep. Auchincloss is uniquely qualified and positioned to lead on cutting the military budget and pulling out of our wars in the Middle East.

“As a former infantry and reconnaissance officer, I appreciate how our military should be used — and how it shouldn’t,” he told Boston.com in a statement last Summer. “Our next Congress must be ready to end our failed forever wars, pivot to emerging strategic priorities in the Pacific, and restore our global standing. I’m ready for that work on Day One, and will push for at least a 10% budget reduction at the Department of Defense.”

Moderating the townhall will be Mass. Peace Action member and author of Un-American:a Soldier’s Reckoning of our longest war, Erik Edstrom. Erik Edstrom grew up in Stoughton and graduated from West Point in 2007. He was then deployed to Afghanistan, where he served as an infantry platoon leader. Erik spent the remainder of his service as the Presidential Escort Platoon Leader during the Obama administration. He is a graduate of U.S. Army Ranger School, recipient of the Rippetoe Trophy during The Best Ranger Competition, was selected for the U.S. Special Forces (SFAS), and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.