Tony Thurmond: “national security remains the federal government's most important obligation to its citizens. The Committee on Armed…”

“national security remains the federal government's most important obligation to its citizens. The Committee on Armed Services recognizes its critical role within the Senate in carrying out the powers relating to national security which are granted to Congress in the Constitution. These include the power to: declare war; raise and support Armies; provide and maintain a Navy; make rules for the government and regulation of the Land and Naval Forces; provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia; give its advice and consent to treaties and to the nominations of officers of the United States. The members of the committee further understand the importance of the committee's jurisdiction within the Senate over matters relating to the common defense, the Department of Defense, the Military Departments, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. The Armed Services Committee completed its markup last Thursday afternoon after 4 days of careful deliberation, voting unanimously to approve of the fiscal year 1998 defense authorization bill. I believe we have a good bill with a better balance between personnel quality of life programs, readiness, and modernization. The budget agreement reached this year represents a historic endeavor by the Congress and the President to reach a balanced budget by fiscal year 2002.”