Richard Nixon: “Now, it would be presumptuous for me to say anything about who ought to be the next President.”

Our military forces deter potential aggressors and, together with those of our allies, serve to assure the continued security of the free world.

I am pleased that in this bill the Congress has expressed support for our objectives by authorizing $22.2 billion for military procurement purposes during fiscal year 1975.

This legislation exceeds my budgetary recommendations by such a large amount--some $540 million--that it presents a clear and distinct threat to our fight against inflation and cannot be accepted.

I firmly believe that our current fiscal situation demands national unanimity on the issues of a larger concern.