[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       QUADRENNIAL DEFENSE REVIEW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Harman] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. HARMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my concern that the 
Pentagon appears, once again, to be prepared to avoid tough decisions. 
The ongoing Quadrennial Defense Review due to Congress on May 15 is 
supposed to be an all-inclusive examination of our national security 
needs. It has been described that way by every Defense Department 
official who has testified this year before the National Security 
Committee, on which I serve.
  Although Secretary Cohen's personal involvement in the QDR process is 
commendable, it now appears results may be a lot less than we expected. 
Some Department officials are apparently ready to delay critical 
decisions about the defense agency's infrastructure and Reserve 
components because, we are told, these questions require more study.
  Yet, each of these areas is clearly in need of reform. Each offers 
the potential for substantial savings, each has already been studied in 
great detail over the past 2 years, and each is critical to how we 
structure our national security forces for the 21st century.
  Mr. Speaker, the Pentagon has an opportunity now to provide more 
effective, less costly defense. That is right. Better defense for less 
money. But boldness and willingness to make tough decisions are 
required to do that. Delaying recommendations on the agencies, the 
infrastructure, and the Reserves is neither tough nor bold; it 
represents business as usual and is an indication that the Department 
will, once again, be hostage to parochial interests while the public 
pays more for unneeded capabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, yesterday's forces will not win tomorrow's wars. And 
yesterday's funding may not be available either. DOD can and must do 
better.

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