|
MR. HOYER: I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ABOUT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT PROVIDES THE CRITICAL ITEMS NECESSARY FOR OUR FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ AND AROUND THE WORLD. I ALSO SUPPORT THE RECOGNITION OF THE PAY NECESSITIES THAT CONFRONT OUR PEOPLE AND GIVES THEM A RAISE. IN ADDITION, IT PROVIDES INCREASES IN ENLISTMENT BONUSES, NECESSARY, HAD DOUSE PAY INCLUDING RETENTION AND FUNDING FOR KEY MODERN DATION PRIORITIES TO ENSURE OUR MILITARY REMAINS THE BEST EQUIPPED FIGHTS FORCE IN THE WORLD FOR MANY DECADES TO COME. I BELIEVE MANY DEMOCRATS WILL VOTE FOR THIS LEGISLATION BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDE OUR TROOPS WITH EVERY RESOURCE NECESSARY TO SUCCEED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND ANYWHERE ELSE THE CALL TO DEFEND FREEDOM TAKES OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN THE MILITARY. HOWEVER, THIS MEASURE IS BY NO MEANS PERFECT. FIRST I WOULD SAY I WAS DISTURBED BY THE RULE. I WAS PARTICULARLY DISTURBED MR. CHAIRMAN AND MR. SKELTON, THAT THE AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. SPRATT, ONE OF THE MOST SUBSTANTIVE AMENDMENTS WAS NOT ALLOWED BY THE RULES COMMITTEE. IT IS A SHAME WE DIDN'T HAVE A FULL DEBATE ON MR. SPRATT'S AMENDMENT DEALING WITH PROLIFERATION. MR. CHAIRMAN 4 -- MR. CHAIRMAN, IT HIGHLIGHTS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S INABILITY TO MOVE PAST THE COLD WAR THREATS TO THE THREATS POSED BY TERRORISM. SPECIFICALLY THIS BILL UNDERFUNDS THE COOPERATIVE THREAT REDUCTION PROGRAM WHICH HAS HELPED TO KEEP UNSECURED WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION OUT OF THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS. THIS IS THE GRAVEST THREAT OUR NATION FACES. FUNDING FOR THE COOPERATIVE REDUCTION PROGRAM BARELY KEEPS PACE WITH INFLATION EVEN THOUGH THE 9/11 COMMISSION URGES IT EXPAND. DO YOU HAVE AN ADDITIONAL MINUTE, IKE? DON'T HAVE IT? MR. SKELTON: I YIELD 30 SECONDS. MR. HOYER: THIS PROVIDES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR NATIONAL MISSILE SYSTEM. NEITHER OF THESE PRIORITIES HELPS PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FROM FUTURE TERRORIST ATTACK. AS I SAID, MR. CHAIRMAN, I WILL VOTE FOR THIS BILL, BUT IT IS A SHAME WE DO NOT HAVE FALLER, EFFECTIVE DEBATE ON THE GRAVE POLICIES THAT THIS BILL DEALS WITH OR FAILS TO DEAL WITH. I YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TIME.
VIEW THE CLIP:
http://recap.fednet.net/archive/Buildasx.asp?sProxy=80_hflr052505_035.wmv&s...;
|
|
