J.C. Watts: “I rise in support of the Goode amendment and the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization bill. In recent days there has…”

“I rise in support of the Goode amendment and the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization bill. In recent days there has been a great deal of discussion, speculation and media coverage about the Crusader program, and let me clarify some issues because I believe there are some myths out there that are flowing around through the airwaves. First, our bill merely funds the President's budget request, no more, no less. Even at this late hour in the authorization process the President's budget proposal has not formally been revised. Full funding of the Crusader is part of what the President sent over earlier this year, and more importantly it is what our fighters say they need. Additionally, the Crusader funding level is $475 million, or about 1.2 percent of the overall DOD budget. For this relatively modest commitment in the overall budget, this Congress will provide protection and security for our soldiers. The Crusader is something that our service chiefs, the combatant commanders and service secretaries have been unanimous in their support in testimony before the Committee on Armed Services here and in the Senate.”