Martin Meehan: “I strongly support the Frank amendment because I think military spending should be subject to the same rules as other…”

“I strongly support the Frank amendment because I think military spending should be subject to the same rules as other parts of the budget. I have voted for every major spending discipline proposal offered in this Congress, including the Penny-Kasich amendment and the line-item veto. I voted for these proposals because I believe that we must get spending under control and set priorities. I would suggest that if those who voted with me on those proposals want to make an exception for defense, they will have no credibility when arguing against exceptions for urban aid, disasters, unemployment insurance, or any other program someone with different priorities labels 'vital.' The national defense must always be a priority, but it should have to live under the same constraints as other priorities. We're being asked to accept cuts in mass transit, low-income energy assistance, and a wide range of programs that help the poor. Then we're supposed to turn around and vote to add to the deficit so the military can have more money for operating costs.”