[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2091-E2092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration of the bill (H.R. 3326) 
     making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. STARK. Madam Chair, I rise in opposition to the Defense 
Appropriations bill. As families and businesses struggle in this 
recession, this bill spends money on the wrong priorities for our 
Nation and the world.
  The legislation provides $128.3 billion to fund wars in Afghanistan 
and Iraq that never should have been waged, as well as $9.3 billion for 
missile defense funding that doesn't work. According to the Washington 
Post, over $6.9 billion in funding is for new ships, planes, 
helicopters and armored vehicles that the Pentagon doesn't want.
  We are wasting money on these projects as defense eats up a larger 
share of our budget--58 percent of all discretionary spending, up from 
51 percent four years ago.
  This giveaway to defense contractors comes at the same time that 
Members of Congress are balking at health care reform that will cost a 
fraction of our defense spending over the same time period. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in voting no.

[[Page E2092]]



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