Ronald Dellums: “Mr. Chairman, as one of the sponsors and drafters of the amendment, I obviously rise in support of it. I tried to listen…”

“Mr. Chairman, as one of the sponsors and drafters of the amendment, I obviously rise in support of it. I tried to listen very carefully during the course of the debate to those persons who rose in opposition to this amendment. I would like to respond to a few of their remarks as I noted their comments. One of my colleagues, the gentleman from Virginia, indicated that this was the most improved amendment. The gentleman is correct. Last year the Department of defense opposed the burden-sharing amendment. This year the Department of Defense generally supports the amendment, and I quote verbatim: After detailed review, analysis and consideration of the provisions of the amendment, the Department believes it provides a solid basis upon which to proceed in future discussions and negotiations with our allies around the world to attain greater responsibility sharing in defense and security issues of national concern. Second, with respect to the improved amendment, this has, over the years, been a controversial amendment. I have had conversations with the gentleman from Connecticut and the gentleman from Massachusetts saying that we ought to update the burden-sharing amendment so that it speaks to the realities of the post-cold war world and not the cold war.”