    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [October 3, 1995]
    [Page 1533]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1533]]

    Statement on Signing the Military Construction Appropriations Act, FY
    1996
    October 3, 1995

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 1817, the ``Military Construction
    Appropriations Act, FY 1996,'' which provides funding for military
    construction and family housing programs of the Department of Defense.
        I am pleased that the Act provides my full request for the vast
    majority of military construction projects, the military family housing
    program, other quality of life facilities for our military personnel and
    their families, and the Defense Department base closure and realignment
    program. Especially noteworthy, the bill funds my request for the
    Defense Department Family Housing Improvement Fund, which will give the
    Department a new vehicle for acquiring and improving military housing
    and supporting facilities more quickly and at lower cost than with
    conventional funding and acquisition methods.
        Although I am disappointed that the Act provides more funding than
    requested, most of the unrequested appropriations are for legitimate
    defense requirements. Funding was provided in FY 1996 rather than in
    future years.
        I am concerned, however, that Congress has chosen to spend $70
    million on unneeded projects. The Defense Department has not identified
    these projects as priorities, and they will not help improve the quality
    of life for our service members. These projects are clear examples of
    why the President needs line-item veto authority. The taxpayers deserve
    protection from this kind of wasteful spending, and if I had the line-
    item veto, I would use it to strike this $70 million. Unfortunately,
    Congress still has not completed action on legislation to provide the
    President with line-item veto authority. The American people have waited
    long enough. I strongly urge the Congress to complete action on line-
    item veto legislation now so I can eliminate wasteful spending this
    year.
        The American people sent us here to change the way Washington does
    business. Passing the line-item veto would be a good place for this
    Congress to start.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    October 3, 1995.

    Note: H.R. 1817, approved October 3, was assigned Public Law No. 104-32.