Richard Nixon: “They have in high degree the ideals, vision, sensitivity and energy that assure our future.”

I have done my very best in all the days since to be true to that pledge.

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.

It is regrettable that the Congress has seen fit to add to a bill of such importance to our national security a rider adversely affecting the constitutional separation of powers.

It is only a beginning, always.