Political Quotes

“I join with those who have spoken during consideration of this budget resolution and the impact that cuts in discretionary spending, as indicated in the Exon-Grassley provision, would have on the defense budget and our national security. I support the amendment of the Senator from New Mexico [Mr. Domenici], the ranking Republican on the Budget Committee and a highly respected and learned colleague on budgetary matters. In the Armed Services Committee over the past several weeks, we have heard from a number of our combatant commanders--the CINC's, who are responsible for going to war in their assigned parts of the world if war should come. We have also heard from the Secretaries of our military services and the Chiefs of each service. As I have listened to their testimony, it is clear that virtually without exception, the leaders of our military establishment are uneasy with the current level of funding for the Defense budget. While this administration has put a high priority on readiness and moved additional funds into some categories of readiness accounts, we are beginning to see, I believe, some of the first, early indicators that readiness problems are beginning to develop. General Joulwan, commander of the U.S. European Command expressed his concern about his command: They are meeting the challenge, but we are stretching our people and our resources to the limit.”