Victor Fazio: “I rise in support of H.R. 3230, the fiscal year 1997 Defense authorization conference report. While I am concerned that…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 3230, the fiscal year 1997 Defense authorization conference report. While I am concerned that this bill provides more money than the Pentagon has requested, this legislation addresses many of the important needs expressed by the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs. I disagree, however, with the Republican leadership that the current defense posture of this administration is weakening our core defense capabilities. One only needs to look to the Republican budget resolution passed in the spring to see that their out year projections for defense spending are roughly that of the administration. In fact, I would simply like to point out that the Democratic alternative, otherwise known as the coalition budget, keeps defense spending on a path that sustains U.S. national security throughout the next century. I am concerned that the current rationalization for spending more than the Pentagon has requested in fiscal year 1997 will lead to unsustainable defense budgets in the years 2001 and 2002. Nevertheless, I support this bill because the alternative is to not have an authorization bill.”