Wayne Allard: “We have to keep in mind that the main mission is to secure the safety of Americans both at home and abroad. I believe we…”

“We have to keep in mind that the main mission is to secure the safety of Americans both at home and abroad. I believe we are responding to the terrorist threat. We have stood up Northern Command in the military. We have set up a whole new Department dealing with homeland security. At the very beginning of his administration, President Bush made it a priority to build and transform our military after 8 years of operation and maintenance funding shortfalls under the previous administration. Where does one get the money? If the bases and mission are being transformed, savings have to be figured somewhere. I think it is entirely appropriate, both at home and abroad, to review our mission. I agree with many of the points that are being made on this amendment. We have to look at our bases overseas. Certainly our mission has changed considerably over there. As opposed to a large frontal assault, we are now dealing with a terrorist problem which requires a more mobile and modern military to address that threat. We have the same threat at home, and we also need to look at whether bases at home are meeting the mission of the modern threat from terrorism. Those of us in the Senate have heeded the call of the President and I am pleased we are about to take the next step in maintaining a military fully capable of defending our Nation and meeting our foreign policy goals. I continue to support the President's plan to transform our military.”