    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [November 30, 1995]
    [Page 1813]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1813]]

    Statement on Approval of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act,
    1996
    November 30, 1995

        I have decided this evening to approve the Department of Defense
    appropriations bill. This legislation is vital to fund our national
    defense, so that the United States remains the strongest force for peace
    in the world.
        This bill provides for a strong national defense, supports our
    commitments to the quality of life of our forces and their families,
    maintains high military readiness, and funds investment programs
    necessary to modernize the equipment used by our combat forces.
    Continuing American global leadership is ensured by the support the bill
    provides for our forces.
        I made this decision because my Administration has reached agreement
    with Congressional leaders to provide funding, out of the funds
    contained in this bill, for the troop deployment and other efforts to
    secure peace in Bosnia. The pressing demands of peace and of our
    military service men and women compel my approval of this measure.
        I have expressed my strong concerns that this legislation contains
    excessive spending for projects that are not currently needed for our
    defense. I will forward to Congress rescission legislation that would
    eliminate funding for those projects, and I urge Congress to act on it.
    We should spend no more than we need to at a time when we are determined
    to balance the budget.
        I am also concerned that section 8117 of the Act contains certain
    reporting requirements that could materially interfere with or impede
    this country's ability to provide necessary support to another nation or
    international organization in connection with peacekeeping or
    humanitarian assistance activities otherwise authorized by law. I will
    interpret this provision consistent with my constitutional authority to
    conduct the foreign relations of the United States and my
    responsibilities as Commander in Chief.
        In addition, I remain very concerned about provisions of the Act
    that restrict service women and female dependents of military personnel
    from obtaining privately funded abortions in military facilities
    overseas, except in cases in which the mother's life is endangered or
    the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. In many countries, these
    U.S. facilities provide the only accessible, safe source for these
    medical services.
        My Administration is continuing discussions with the Congress on the
    remaining spending bills, in order to protect necessary priorities in
    education, the environment and law enforcement. Over the past several
    days we have made progress in good faith discussions with the leadership
    of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to close the gap
    between us on these issues. The decision I am making tonight is
    consistent with our understanding that these discussions will continue
    with the goal of reaching a satisfactory conclusion as rapidly as
    possible. We should promptly complete this task, so there is no
    unnecessary shutdown of the government.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    November 30, 1995.

    Note: H.R. 2126 became law without the President's signature on December
    1, and it was assigned Public Law No. 104-61.