Political Quotes

“the Joint Chiefs have done something this year that they have not done in a long time. I think it is because the services are desperate, they are desperate for help. The 10,000 uniformed service men and women on food stamps are desperate for help. They have told us what they need. The Army has come forth and said, we need an additional $5 billion a year just to maintain this downsized military of 10 divisions. The Navy has come forth and said, to maintain 305 ships, we need an additional $6 billion a year. The Air Force has said, to maintain this downsized Air Force of only 13 active fighter wings, we need an additional $5 billion a year. The marines have said that to maintain this downsized Marine Corps, that now has the highest operating tempo of any time since World War II, we need an additional $1.75 billion a year. They said that on top of that they need a pay raise for our troops, to start cutting into that 13 rac{1}{2} percent pay gap. If we add those together, and if we add the cost of Bosnia, which we should not take out of ammunition and operations and maintenance, that is $21.95 billion or $22 billion a year more that our service people need to be well-equipped and well-paid to serve our country. So however Members vote on these resolutions, and let me really commend the brilliant gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Tillie Fowler). I wish I could support her amendment. I think her conditions are excellent. But I am going to support the base bill.”