[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 135 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     HAITI'S PRICE TAG? WHO KNOWS?

  (Mr. KNOLLENBERG asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, for the past few days, my staff and I 
have been trying to find out just how much Operation Uphold Democracy 
will cost the American taxpayers.
  We have heard the President throw out numbers ranging from as low as 
$250 million. At our briefing the other day, Secretary of State 
Christopher said the figure was closer to $350 million. Now, officials 
at both the State and Defense Departments tell me that this figure 
could be upward of $2 to $3 billion.
  I find it alarming that this figure keeps increasing day by day. And 
then yesterday, Secretary Perry told us that he will have to come to us 
for additional moneys--who knows what dollar figure that will be.
  Regardless, I believe it would be financially irresponsible for us to 
not only closely examine where this money is being spent, but also 
where it is coming from.
  I do not believe that any additional moneys for an operation such as 
this should come at the expense for our already deeply cut Defense 
Department.
  We have all heard the stories of soldiers on food stamps and 
maintenance depots having to resort to cannibalism. As a veteran, I 
find this truly disgusting.
  We must pay our bills and do everything in our power to support our 
troops. But I will not sit idly by and let us pass the buck for 
Operation Uphold Democracy at the expense of those brave men and women 
serving in our military.

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