Jack Reed: “I rise to lend support to the amendment of Senator Landrieu and Senator Carnahan and commend my chairman for his…”

“I rise to lend support to the amendment of Senator Landrieu and Senator Carnahan and commend my chairman for his amendment. All of these individuals recognize the need for additional resources in defense spending. In fact, when it comes to Chairman Warner, there is no one in this Chamber who has been more solicitous and supportive of the welfare of American fighting men and women and the readiness of those forces than the Senator from Virginia, but I believe this is an important moment in the debate to make a broader point about this budget and defense spending. Explicitly, this budget calls for a $1.6 trillion or $1.7 trillion tax cut over 10 years. It reserves the money for that tax cut. Yet it ignores anticipated expenses that we already know will be incurred in defense. When it comes to defense spending in this budget, there is only one word for it: this budget is disingenuous. We are not prejudging President Bush. We are taking him at his word. I quote the President: At the earliest possible date, my administration will deploy antiballistic missile systems, both theater and national, to guard against attack and blackmail. When we look at the estimated costs for a national missile defense, it is approximately $115 billion, and that total is growing with each new reestimation. The $115 billion was an estimate that was included in this week's Defense Week magazine. This national missile defense is a centerpiece of the President's strategic program.”