    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 31, 1998]
    [Pages 481-482]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Reporting on Appropriations for B-2 Bombers
    March 31, 1998

    To the Congress of the United States:
        In accordance with the Department of Defense Appropriations Act,
    1998, Public Law 105-56 (1997), and section 131 of the National Defense
    Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998, Public Law 105-85 (1997), I
    certify to the Congress that no additional B-2 bombers should be
    procured during this fiscal year.
        After considering the recommendations of the Panel to Review Long-
    Range Air Power and the advice of the Secretary of Defense, I have decided that the $331 million authorized
    and appropriated for B-2 bombers in Fiscal Year 1998 will be applied as
    follows: $174 million will be applied toward completing the planned
    Fiscal Year 1998 baseline modification and repair program and $157
    million will be applied toward further upgrades to improve the
    deployability, survivability, and maintainability of the current B-2
    fleet. Using the funds in this manner will ensure successful completion
    of the baseline modification and repair program and further enhance the
    operational combat readiness of the B-2 fleet.
        The Panel to Review Long-Range Air Power also provided several far-
    reaching recommendations for fully exploiting the potential of the
    current B-1, B-2, and B-52 bomber force, and for upgrading and
    sustaining the bomber force for the longer term. These longer term
    recommendations warrant careful review as the Department of Defense
    prepares its Fiscal Year 2000-2006 Future Years Defense Program.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    March 31, 1998.

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