Political Quotes

“Today Senator Lott, the Majority Leader, introduced S-4, The Soldiers', Sailors', Airmen's and Marines' Bill of Rights Act of 1999. This bill is an integral part of the National Security element of the Republican agenda that the Leader announced this morning. Last fall, Senator Lott, in an excellent exchange of letters with the President and Republican Chairmen, identified key problems with military pay levels and the military pay system. Following this exchange of letters, the Armed Services Committee held hearings on September 29, 1998 and again on January 5, 1999 in which General Shelton and the Service Chiefs described the many problems the military services were experiencing because of many years of shortfalls in funding. Particular emphasis was put on readiness, the retention of highly trained people and the inability to achieve recruiting goals. The testimony of the Joint Chiefs was courageous. They spoke very candidly of the problems borne by the men and women in the military and how increased defense funding was needed in order to begin to alleviate these problems.”