    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 16, 1996]
    [Pages 1587-1588]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1997
    September 16, 1996

        I have today signed into law today H.R. 3517, the ``Military
    Construction Appropriations Act, 1997,'' which provides funding for
    military construction and family housing programs of the Department of
    Defense.
        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

    [[Page 1588]]

    their families, and the Department of Defense base closure and
    realignment program.
        But I am disappointed that the Act provides more funding than I
    requested. Specifically, I am concerned that the Congress has chosen to
    spend $154 million on projects that the Department of Defense has not
    identified as priorities and that will not improve the quality of life
    for our service members. These projects are clear examples of spending
    that is neither warranted nor justified, and is funded at the expense of
    higher-priority domestic programs.
        Indeed, this Act is part of an overall approach by the Congress to
    provide more funds than necessary for nonpriority items through the
    Defense budget at the expense of important domestic priorities in
    education and training, the environment, science and technology, law
    enforcement, and other key priorities. At a time of scarce resources, we
    should not squander funds on items that we don't need while underfunding
    the very priorities that will help improve living standards and the
    quality of life of average Americans--both now and in the future.
        I urge the Congress to complete action on the remaining 1997
    appropriations bills as quickly as possible, and to send them to me in
    an acceptable form.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    September 16, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 3517, approved September 16, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
    196. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    September 17.