Cord Byrd: “I regret I cannot vote for this bill. I do congratulate, however, the managers of the bill and the staff of the Armed…”

“I regret I cannot vote for this bill. I do congratulate, however, the managers of the bill and the staff of the Armed Services Committee for their meticulous attention to the details of the legislation and for their skillful handling of the bill. There are many good provisions contained in it, provisions that address legitimate defense needs and provide support for the men and women in our military. Worthy provisions have been added to this bill, such as the amendment offered by Senators Nunn, Lugar, and others, to provide assistance to Federal and local law enforcement agencies to defend against terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction and to help safeguard or destroy foreign sources of nuclear weapons materials. Another provision establishes a commission to review our national security needs, which will help to shape more realistic future defense budgets. And I am pleased that an amendment I offered was accepted that will provide medical assistance to the children of Gulf war veterans with birth defects and other medical problems while scientific research determines whether their maladies may be a result of their parents' service. But in the end, this bill remains billions of dollars above the administration's already generous request for the Department of Defense. Other government programs addressing important domestic needs face flat funding or are being reduced, while the defense budget is flush with unrequested funds.”