Tony Thurmond: “I rise to oppose Senator McCain's amendment to strike the funding for $598 million for military construction projects…”

“I rise to oppose Senator McCain's amendment to strike the funding for $598 million for military construction projects added to the defense authorization bill during the Armed Services Committee markup. Senator McCain has been persistent trying to eliminate defense spending that he believes is unnecessary and I applaud him for his persistence. Mr. President, we have screened the projects that Senator McCain is attempting to strike with the Department of Defense. They all meet the criteria that both Senator McCain and Senator Glenn worked so diligently to set up. For the benefit of all Members that criteria are as follows: Is the project in the future year defense plan? Can construction on the project begin in fiscal year 1997? Is the project mission essential or a quality of life issue? And, is the project consistent with base closure action? The committee received requests from 62 members for construction projects totaling more than $1.6 billion. Of the projects requested, $730 million met the committee's criteria.”