David Skaggs: “Mr. Chairman, this bill might be better known as the National Security Retribution Act instead of the National Security…”

“Mr. Chairman, this bill might be better known as the National Security Retribution Act instead of the National Security Revitalization Act. It is a travesty of sound defense policy, wasting tens of billions of dollars on a revived star wars effort while shorting funds for readiness or truly needed procurement. This legislation is a travesty of sound budget policy, proposing to borrow tens of billions of dollars just after we have passed a balanced budget amendment. And this legislation is a travesty of sound international security policy, undermining START II Treaty ratification and the ABM Treaty, while jeopardizing our ongoing efforts to achieve further arms limitations. But even more fundamental, this legislation is a constitutional tragedy, putting a power grab, driven by mindless bumper-sticker politics, ahead of the historic and critical authority of the President of the United States to manage our foreign relations and to command our Nation's Armed Forces. This bill is so deeply flawed that, if adopted, it would deprive this President, any President, of his ability to protect and promote our national interests. It should be defeated.”