[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 106 (Monday, July 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1647]]



PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2488, FINANCIAL FREEDOM ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID L. HOBSON

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 1999

  Mr. HOBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to dispute statements recently made 
on the House floor by Mr. Taylor of Mississippi that mischaracterize 
the record of Republican support for the men and women who serve this 
country.
  First, let me say that the Clinton Administration, not the 
Republicans, has severely overstretched and underfunded our military. 
From 1991 to 1998, our military has been deployed 33 times. Compare 
that with only 10 from 1946 to 1991. The funding increases and 
commitments needed to sustain these missions abroad has been 
conspicuously lacking from this Administration.
  Let me provide some examples. The defense budget presented by the 
President fell far short of the quality of life needs that our military 
had requested. For instance, the Administration disregarded requests 
for new family housing construction in the Continental United States 
(CONUS) made by the Army and Navy. That was unwise, given the housing 
backlog that stretches for ten years, and a real property maintenance 
backlog of almost $1 billion.
  What's worse, the services provided the Defense Appropriations 
Subcommittee with an unfunded priority list of over $11 billion for 
this year alone, and over $150 billion over the next five years.
  While remaining within the budget caps, the Republican's Fiscal Year 
2000 Defense Appropriations bill addresses these shortfalls by 
providing an extra $2.8 billion above the Administration's request. 
Some of the highlights of the bill include: $300 million above the 
budget request for pilot bonuses; $854 million above the budget request 
for Qualify of Life enhancements; $103 million above the budget request 
for recruiting; $2.8 billion above the budget request for Research, 
Development, Test and Evaluation; and 4.8 percent pay raise (above the 
budget request).
  Moreover, the Administration proposed in its Fiscal 2000 budget 
request to split-fund military construction needs, overlooking the dire 
situation facing many military families and personnel. Instead of 
providing funding up front for new housing, child care, and work 
facilities, as the House-passed Military Construction bill does, the 
Administration put budget gimmicks before the needs of the services.
  To redress these wrongs, Republicans have provided funding to 
dramatically improve the quality of life for military families. The 
House approved by an overwhelming vote of 414 to 4 the Fiscal Year 2000 
Military Construction Appropriations bill, which contains several 
provisions to improve quality of life for our troops. It includes $800 
million for new housing, $747 million for new family housing units, and 
$2.8 billion for operation and maintenance of existing family housing 
units.
  In the wake of increased single-parent and dual income families 
within the military, the legislation also provides $21 million for 
child development centers. These child development centers will help 
military families cope with their changing life circumstances.
  The Republican record of support for our Armed Forces is strong. 
While there is more to be done to redress years of downsizing, we have 
provided for the well-being of our troops and the stability of our 
national security.

                          ____________________