Mitch Landrieu: “I agree we need an increase for the 2002 budget. My amendment makes a longer, more reliable, stable commitment over 10…”

“I agree we need an increase for the 2002 budget. My amendment makes a longer, more reliable, stable commitment over 10 years. Given the underlying budget resolution does the same, we are not necessarily in disagreement, except for the fact that mine has a 10-year outlook and his has only 1 year. I simply argue that while his amendment might be a step to take, we could certainly take this step as we make a decision for the strategic investment that we need to make over this decade--not just for 1 year. I have brought to the floor today studies that I could submit for the Record. This one is a ``Strategy For Long Peace,'' by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. I am just going to refer to two. This one is called ``Averting the Defense Train Wreck in the New Millennium'' by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. These are two very well known and well-respected think tanks.”