Ernest Istook: “I first want to compliment our chairman on this bill that meets some very vital and important needs of the United States…”

“I first want to compliment our chairman on this bill that meets some very vital and important needs of the United States Armed Forces. I support this bill. I intend to support the bill whether this amendment is approved by the House or not. Our military has been depleted; it has been overused. This bill is intended to replenish our military. This bill is intended to restore strength and vitality that has been taken from our military. This bill, as I believe most proponents say, is not, however, intended to expand the war that currently is being waged in Yugoslavia, which has not been declared as a war by the Congress of the United States. This bill is to replenish our military but not to expand past the air campaign that currently is under way. We cannot take up a more serious issue in this House than committing the men and women of our Armed Forces into combat and the potential of having them sent in a hostile environment into Yugoslavia.”