[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H7506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         AN IMPERFECT MILITARY

  (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, the Cold War may be over but the weight of 
responsibility inherited by the United States is heavier than ever. 
Threats are no longer contained by bipolar ideologies. Threats come 
from every corner of the world. It is under these conditions where our 
military forces find themselves doing more with less.
  Stretched to a point where spare parts become an oxymoron and 
retention and morale is critical, it is in this environment where I 
fail to understand the President's rationale in sending Congress 
defense budgets asking for fewer and fewer dollars.
  In every budget year since Clinton and Gore took office, the 
administration has proposed a decrease in defense spending. As a matter 
of fact, the defense budget has been reduced by more than $10 billion 
in constant dollars since fiscal year 1993.
  Fortunately, the Armed Forces have received better support from a 
Republican controlled Congress. Despite cuts proposed by the 
administration, Congress has funded above the President's request and 
has long recognized the importance of a prepared and well-funded 
military force.
  Mr. Speaker, we should be proud of our men and women in uniform and 
should provide them what they need to do the job.

                          ____________________