David Minge: “I rise in support of the Furse amendment, and I am deeply interested in the comments of the previous speaker. The…”

“I rise in support of the Furse amendment, and I am deeply interested in the comments of the previous speaker. The gentleman certainly raises issues that are of concern to all of us. Our troops in Bosnia are important to each American, their well-being, and their support. But, Mr. Chairman, I would like to observe that it is our expectation that the troops in Bosnia will be withdrawn by the end of the year, or certainly sometime next year, and it is far from clear that these apartment units, these housing quarters are going to be completed in time for them to occupy them. It is our hope and prayer, of course, that these troops will be home in the United States before then. So, I think that it is a red herring to claim that these units are for our troops in Bosnia. Second, I would point out that the Armed Forces themselves have not included this barracks project in their long-term plan. Why is it we are building additional housing units in Europe at the instigation of the committees in Congress, when the Defense Department itself has not placed a priority on these units? I submit that this is not a responsible use of taxpayer dollars.”