Political Quotes

“I believe the Members of this body should recall that Congress has already reduced DOD's budget in 1994 by more than $18 billion. Moreover, in each and every year of the past 10 years, Congress has cut the funds provided for defense. We have already cut defense spending drastically. To graphically demonstrate what I am saying, Madam President, 3 years ago the Army had 18 divisions; 2 years from now we will have 10. Three years ago the Navy had nearly 600 ships; 2 years from now we will have 350 ships. This applies to all services. We are now in the process of the drawdown. As a result, this committee, ever since I have been chairman of this subcommittee, has always come forth with an appropriated recommendation which is vastly less than that requested by the administration. So, as far as cuts are concerned, we have done that. In fact, the bill before the Senate already rescinds more than $900 million from DOD. That is further reductions, beyond that of fiscal year 1994, reductions that will tax the ability of the Department to meet the base closure requirements. Cutting another $4 billion is simply insupportable.”