Jim Saxton: “It is clear that over the course of the last decade the United States' military has been in a constant state of decline.…”

“It is clear that over the course of the last decade the United States' military has been in a constant state of decline. With the current challenges confronting U.S. armed forces in the Yugoslav Republic of Kosovo, our ability to meet worldwide commitments is increasingly strained; our ability to conduct even smaller military operations is at risk, as well. This rule provides an answer to these concerns. The Joint Chiefs of Staff cited the diminished quality of life, readiness, and modernization requirements that have pervaded the armed forces. With respect to the National Defense bill, allow me to state for the record that this bill begins to address each of these flaws. The bill increases our forces' quality of life by providing $8.6 billion for military construction and family housing, $3.1 billion more than the administration's request. The bill specifically addresses the readiness of our military, providing $106.5 billion for operations and maintenance, $2.8 billion more than the administration's request. The bill ensures that the United States will not maintain the status quo but will continue modernization by providing $3.7 billion for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, a $417 million more than the administration's request. As we near the dawn of a new millennium, the international political situation is growing increasingly unstable.”