Russ Feingold: “I will vote against the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2003. I regret that the Senate has missed…”

“I will vote against the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2003. I regret that the Senate has missed another opportunity to reorient the thinking--and spending--of the Pentagon. I strongly support our men and women in uniform in the ongoing fight against global terrorism and in their other missions, both at home and abroad. I commend the members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families for the sacrifices they have made to protect our security and freedom. More than 85,000 National Guard and Reserve forces have been called to active duty since September 11, including personnel from a number of units in Wisconsin. All members of our military and their families--active duty, National Guard, and Reserves--deserve our sincere thanks for their commitment to protect this country and to undertake the fight against terrorism in the wake of the horrific attacks of September 11. Each year that I have been a Member of this body, I have expressed my concern about the priorities of the Pentagon and about the process by which we consider the Department of Defense authorization and appropriations bills. I am troubled that the Department of Defense does not receive the same scrutiny as other parts of our Federal budget.”