Sam Brownback: “I want to address further the issue of cost on this, because some will allege that is the reason we should block this…”

“I want to address further the issue of cost on this, because some will allege that is the reason we should block this, because it puts a cost figure of $166 million, $190 million. I am very sensitive to the cost issue, so I provide for the authorization. But I also challenge my colleagues on this very point to think about this. Basic training for 9 weeks, pressurized environment. It is where you teach, train, build, and mold--9 weeks of a focused, intense time period that is taking place. You are putting somebody 18 years old, male and female, into that pressurized environment. Is this a place for us to cut costs in the military, saying because of that cost we have to force them onto the same floor and the same common area because we cannot afford the $166 million? Mind you, the Kassebaum Commission says we can do this at zero to minimal cost. We can do this with minimal, if any, cost. Let's say it does have some cost with it. I don't think it does. I don't support that notion. Anyway, if you are 18 years old looking at going into the military, isn't this a pretty minimal amount of cost? If you are the family of that 18-year-old considering going into the military, is that a cost that you want the Government to be putting forth and being a part of? My goodness, we have to make some sense out of this. This is a very narrow amendment that we are asking for. I hope we have a direct vote on this. I hope we will be able to get to it.”