Chuck Grassley: “I told my friend from Oklahoma that I considered straight pay to be ``a very dangerous and misguided policy that might…”

“I told my friend from Oklahoma that I considered straight pay to be ``a very dangerous and misguided policy that might violate the law.'' I also told him about the Miller case heretofore referenced. I urged Senator Inhofe to ask Secretary Cohen and Chief Financial Officer Lynn five questions on straight pay at an upcoming hearing. Mr. Lynn attempted to clarify the Department of Defense position on straight pay in a letter dated June 18, 1999. That is document No. 14. I ask unanimous consent to have document No. 14 printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: Under Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC, June 18, 1999. Hon. Charles E. Grassley, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Grassley: This is in reply to your recent letter to the Honorable William S. Cohen, Secretary of Defense, concerning the Department of Defense responses to your questions submitted for the record following a March 2, 1999, hearing before the Senate Budget Committee. Enclosed is the Department's response to your questions. Sincerely, William J. Lynn. Enclosure. Responses to the Questions of Senator Charles E. Grassley Question. The General Accounting Office (GAO)--in report No. AIMD-99-19--states that Mr. Hamre's policy authorizes the Navy to delay recording obligations in excess of available budget authority for up to five years.…”