Floyd Spence: “H.R. 3230 continues an effort we began last year to revitalize this country's national defenses after a decade of…”

“H.R. 3230 continues an effort we began last year to revitalize this country's national defenses after a decade of spending decline and force structure reductions. For the second consecutive year, and in a bipartisan fashion, the National Security Committee has reported a bill that I believe considers the future more realistically, and address shortfalls and shortcomings in the present more aggressively, than does the administration. Moreover, the committee's efforts have been undertaken within the broader context and constraints of a commitment to balance the budget by the year 2002. The primary mission of our military forces has not changed very much since the fall of the Berlin Wall--it remains the protection and promotion of vital U.S. interests around the world. Despite the end of the cold war, the events of just the past year clearly demonstrate that new challenges to U.S. global interests are emerging on many fronts. China, as an emerging power, has demonstrated a disturbing willingness to use military force as a tool of coercion as it threatens stability, prosperity and the growth of democracy in East Asia. The administration's decision last week to waive sanctions against the Chinese for their export of nuclear sensitive technology to Pakistan undermines this country's commitment to nonproliferation in the eyes of much of the world, and seemingly rewards Beijing's leaders for their increasingly assertive and aggressive diplomacy throughout the region.”