[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 9, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H2660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      AMERICA'S NATIONAL SECURITY

  (Mr. GARY MILLER of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because of 
my deep concern for America's national security. A recent Associated 
Press which ran on May 5 reported that the U.S. Air Force readiness to 
fight is now at a 15-year low, representing a 28 percent decline since 
the Cold War. Roughly 115 of it 329 combat units were not fully capable 
of performing their mission.
  In the article, a senior military official blamed the budgets that 
did not allow enough for spare parts and did not offer service members 
salaries competitive in today's booming economy.
  That is why I find it ironic that I also came across an article in 
the May issue of National Defense magazine which quoted Vice President 
Al Gore as saying the Pentagon's budget is currently in the ``right 
zone'' to meet today's national security needs.
  Mr. Speaker, current White House advisers, as well as the Vice 
President, have publicly stated while ample financial resources to 
increase defense are available, they are not needed. It is this 
lackadaisical attitude that has contributed to the monumental problems 
that we now face.
  As a Member of Congress, I am becoming more and more concerned about 
our national leaders' attitude and how they impact our ability to, as 
our Constitution states, ``provide for the common defense'' of this 
country.
  This trend must be reversed. We must have strong leadership and 
redefine our national security policy. Resources must be provided to 
replace our aging ships, helicopters, tanks, artillery and other 
equipment.
  Most importantly, we must begin to treat our servicemen and women and 
their families with the respect they deserve.

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