[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 182 (Thursday, November 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E 2193]]


                    A SMART NATIONAL SECURITY BUDGET

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                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 16, 1995

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, today this body took an important first 
step in returning sense and security to our national defense. In the 
best interest of this country and the American people, we have sent a 
Defense appropriation bill to the President that restores safety and 
national security while contributing to a balanced Federal budget.
  For several years our Nation's defenses have suffered under dwindling 
Pentagon budgets that were bogged down with frivolous social programs. 
Today's conference report, like so much of the legislation we are 
passing in the 104th Congress, represents a dramatic turning of the 
tide. We are revitalizing readiness. We are restoring our commitment to 
our military personnel and their families. And we are making the 
investments necessary to maintain America's standing as the world's 
most formidable military power.
  This bill includes moderate pay raises for the military men and women 
who work around the clock to keep us safe. Soldiers and sailors feeding 
their families with food stamps is an unacceptable reality, and it must 
stop. We also call for upgrades and renovations of military housing 
across the country. This appropriation also makes smart investments in 
the cutting-edge equipment that will keep our troops as safe as 
possible and help keep this country out of war.
  Remarkably, this Congress has done all of this while spending $400 
million less on defense than the Democrats spent last year. Such a feat 
could only be accomplished with the sense and conviction of 
conservative ideals. We have placed a priority on smart spending, 
spending taxpayer dollars only when and where necessary. Nothing more, 
nothing less.
  Last night, we passed further proof that this Congress is committed 
to a balanced budget in 7 years. No gimmicks. No excuses. The Defense 
appropriations conference report represents our contribution to the 
country's physical security as well as its economic security. The best 
way to ensure this Nation's survival is to balance the budget, and do 
it now. If the President of the United States and his Democratic 
colleagues do not have the guts or the gumption to join us in our 
effort, they should step aside.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Defense Appropriations Subcommittee 
Chairman Young and full Committee Chairman Livingston for their 
outstanding work. I am proud to support the conference report to H.R. 
2126. It is one more example of our commitment to spend taxpayer 
dollars wisely and restore fiscal sanity to the Federal Government.

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