C. W. Bill Young: “However, I believe that we should look back in history when we consider whether to continue production of the B-2. Let…”

“However, I believe that we should look back in history when we consider whether to continue production of the B-2. Let me first go back 3 months ago when Capt. Scott O'Grady was shot down in a mission over Bosnia. As we remember, our whole Nation was focused on the fate of this young pilot, and we did not even know his name or anything else about him at the time. The fact today is that the American people are unwilling to accept large war casualties, and I support them in that. In order to minimize American casualties, we need to ensure that our military forces are equipped with the means necessary to defend U.S. interests in an environment where many nations possess deadly offensive weapons. Every time, as the gentleman from Missouri pointed out, that we have redirected defense spending to nondefense programs, we have had to eventually build up our military forces. Can proponents of those other programs guarantee to me, to this body and to the American people that the United States will not need a bomber force in the future?”