Jeff Bingaman: “I will vote for the fiscal year 1997 National Defense Authorization Act. I signed the conference report on this bill…”

“I will vote for the fiscal year 1997 National Defense Authorization Act. I signed the conference report on this bill insofar as it pertains to bill language. I did not, however, sign the conference report's report language because I do not agree with the report language on the missile defense provisions, all of which were dropped from the bill. Several of my Democratic colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee took a similar position on the conference report's ballistic missile defense report language. I will vote for the national defense authorization bill because, unlike last year, the vast majority of provisions in the bill are the result of bipartisan drafting and have full bipartisan support. I commend Senator Thurmond and Senator Nunn for their efforts to improve the process of the Senate Armed Services Committee during this legislative session. I would also like to commend Senator Smith for fostering a cooperative working relationship on the Acquisition and Technology Subcommittee.”