[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11927]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 11927]]

                DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

  (Mr. HEFLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, military readiness is the kind of thing that 
requires long-term planning and long-term commitment. Decisions made 
today about our military forces do not show up until years down the 
road. That is why it is easy for shortsighted or politically motivated 
leaders to shortchange our military for a few years because future 
generations will have to pay the price.
  Similarly, the defense buildup that President Reagan made his top 
priority paid huge dividends only after he left office. The Soviet 
Union fell shortly after he left, and President George Bush reaped the 
benefits of our extraordinary military prowess in the Gulf War in 1991.
  In my judgment, and in the opinion of many military experts, this 
administration has shortchanged our military systematically over the 
past 6 years. Our commitments grow, but the resources are just not 
there to meet them.
  This House will soon have the opportunity to take action to change 
this course. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support 
the DOD authorization bill.

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