Daniel Inouye: “may I begin by first commending my distinguished colleague from Oregon, the chairman of the full committee, Mr.…”

“may I begin by first commending my distinguished colleague from Oregon, the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Hatfield, and my dear friend from Alaska, the chairman of the subcommittee, Senator Stevens, for coming forth with this bill. Difficult decisions had to be made, and they made them. Difficult recommendations have to be made to the Senate, and these recommendations are now being presented. Together they have crafted a bill which balances the needs of the Department of Defense and our committee's desire not to increase the deficit. As the Senator from Alaska indicated, this bill provides $1.9 billion in new appropriations requested by the Department of Defense to cover emergency expenses. However, it is some $600 million less than DOD wanted, but it provides a reasonable amount, considering the committee's goal of offsetting new appropriations with rescissions. But, Mr. President, I think I must inform my colleagues that I am concerned with the guidelines that govern the committee's efforts with this DOD supplemental, and I hope it will not be viewed as a precedent for future emergency supplementals.”