Frank Lautenberg: “there should be no mistaking my opposition to the Hatfield amendment to cut $18 billion out of the defense budget. One…”

“there should be no mistaking my opposition to the Hatfield amendment to cut $18 billion out of the defense budget. One reason I oppose this amendment is because it would cut funding for the DDG-51 Aegis destroyers. In fiscal year 1994, the Congress appropriated the administration's full budget request for three destroyers. I worked hard as a member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee to secure these funds. Although the House of Representatives initially did not provide funding for all three destroyers, the Senate position on the program was adopted and full funding was ultimately provided. Madam President, the DDG-51 Aegis destroyer program is not the place to find savings. With the Navy decommissioning surface combat ships at a rapid pace due to force structure draw-downs, the need to maintain a strong DDG-51 destroyer program is even more pronounced. With a markedly diminished fleet, the power and versatility of DDG-51 destroyers will allow maximum fighting capability with a reduced number of ships and personnel. With the ever changing security threat, the United States needs to maintain a strong Naval presence. We need to ensure that our destroyer fleet is modernized. The DDG-51 Aegis destroyers are an integral part of the Navy's efforts to modernize its destroyer fleet and keep the Navy's presence strong. I urge my colleagues to preserve funding for this important program.”