[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 44 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Pages 2260-2261]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000

November 4, 1999

    I have signed into law H.R. 2561, the ``Department of Defense 
Appropriations Act, 2000.'' The bill approves funds to cover the 
Department's most critical needs, consistent with my request that 
reflected my strong commitment to our Nation's security.
    The bill provides funding for all critical Defense activities--pay 
and other quality of life programs, readiness, and weapons 
modernization. In particular, the bill fully funds

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the key elements of the compensation initiatives I proposed and that 
were enacted in the FY 2000 Defense Authorization Act, including 
military retirement reform, pay table reform, and a significant pay 
increase. It also fully funds my request for training, spare parts, 
equipment maintenance, and base operations--all items essential to 
military readiness. I am pleased that the bill restores partial funding 
for the F-22 fighter aircraft, which is essential to guaranteeing early 
air dominance in any future conflict.
    Regrettably, the bill goes beyond what is necessary, providing 
funding for a host of unrequested programs at the expense of other core 
government activities. It provides $267.4 billion in discretionary 
budget authority, a funding level that is $4.5 billion above my request. 
As testified to by our military chiefs, my budget request correctly 
addressed our most important FY 2000 military needs. Unfortunately, H.R. 
2561 resorts to a number of funding techniques and gimmicks to meet the 
Appropriations Subcommittee allocation. These include: designating $7.2 
billion of standard operation and maintenance funding as a contingent 
emergency; deferring payments to contractors until FY 2001; and 
incrementally funding a Navy ship (LHD-8).
    Furthermore, the bill contains several objectionable language 
provisions. I am concerned about section 8074, which 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.
    While I am troubled by a provision requiring the Department of 
Defense to seek specific authorization for the payment of fines or 
penalties for environmental violations, I will direct the Department to 
seek such authorization on any fine or penalty it receives, ensuring 
full accountability for all such violations.
    Furthermore, while the provision in section 8174 of the bill 
prohibits the Department from contributing funds to the American 
Heritage Rivers initiative, I will direct the Department, within 
existing laws and authorities, to continue to support and undertake 
community-oriented service or environmental projects on rivers I have 
recognized as part of the initiative.
    Finally, the bill provides only about one-quarter of the funding 
level requested for construction of Forward Operating Locations that 
would reestablish regional drug interdiction capabilities in Latin 
America. This amount will not adequately support our vital drug 
interdiction efforts in the Western Hemisphere.
    I have signed this bill because, on balance, it demonstrates our 
commitment to the military, meets our obligations to the troops, 
maintains readiness, and funds modernization efforts that will ensure 
our technological edge into the 21st century.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
November 4, 1999.

Note: H.R. 2561, approved November 4, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
79.