Dale Bumpers: “this is an amendment which could get terribly complex. It involves a segment of the energy and water bill that is…”

“this is an amendment which could get terribly complex. It involves a segment of the energy and water bill that is immensely complex. It is called ``Atomic Energy Defense Activities.'' Within that there is an account called ``Weapons Activities.'' This bill contains $3.978 billion, almost $4 billion, for weapons activities. That is too much. Let me say by digression, there are not two people in the Senate for whom I have a greater respect and admiration and personal friendship than the chairman of the committee and the ranking member, Senators Domenici and Johnston. But I feel obligated to raise this issue and get the debate going on how much money we are putting into this weapons activities account. Mr. President, the Senate bill proposes to provide roughly $269 million more than the President's request and $300 million above the House level. The Senate bill's proposed funding level is actually $531 million above the amount provided in fiscal year 1996, a 14-percent increase. That is just entirely too much.”