Richard Nixon: “Nineteen seventy-four can and should be the year in which we move decisively to protect every American against the…”

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

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

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.

Two weeks ago, I vowed to the American people that any appropriations bill substantially above my budget for fiscal year 1975 would be vetoed.