[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 140 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S12689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT

  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, Congress has no greater responsibility than 
to ensure that our Armed Forces--the guardians of the freedoms which 
all Americans cherish so dearly--are given the resources they need to 
carry out their mission. Consequently, the Defense Appropriations bill 
is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we pass each 
year.
  As others have expressed, this is by no means a perfect piece of 
legislation. There are a number of items contained in this bill that do 
not meet the most urgent needs of the Armed Forces. At a time when the 
men and women who serve in uniform are being called upon to serve the 
interests of the United States in a growing number of places--Bosnia, 
Kosovo, Haiti, Iraq, and the list goes on--Congress must ensure that 
the most critical needs of the Armed Forces are met first.
  However, I believe that the strengths of this conference report 
outweigh its faults. The report does contain funding to address a 
growing number of readiness and quality-of-life issues currently 
challenging our military. Our men and women in uniform need to know 
that their Congress supports them, and voting for this conference 
report is one way to demonstrate that support.
  So, Mr. President, although I believe that Congress can always do a 
better job of directing defense dollars where they are most needed, I 
also I believe that there is much in this conference report that 
addresses critical needs of the military, and that is why I voted in 
favor of the report.

                          ____________________