Patricia Schroeder: “here are six reasons to vote against the fiscal year 1997 DOD authorization conference report: First, the measure…”

“here are six reasons to vote against the fiscal year 1997 DOD authorization conference report: First, the measure provides: $11.3 billion more than the Pentagon requested overall, $7 billion more than requested for procurement, $3.8 billion more than requested for BMD, $508 million more than requested for NMD, $234 million more than requested for C-17 transport planes, $281 million more than requested for tactical aircraft, $203 million more than requested for helicopters, and $701 million more than requested for submarines. Second, overseas abortions are not permitted under the conference report. The Senate receded to the Dornan position. Third, the conference report does not include Dornan provisions on HIV positive servicemembers and gays in the military. Fourth, the conference report retains the Bartlett ban on selling pornography at the PX. Fifth, the conference accepted Carol Moseley-Braun's amendment to prevent servicemembers from rolling their military retirement into their civil service retirement to avoid payment to former spouses with the provision that it is not retroactive, and that no one can sue a servicemember for taking advantage of the loophole. Sixth, the report provides $15.95 million for nonlethal weapons and technology development and an additional $5 million for the services to procure nonlethal weapons.”