J. Thurmond

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the following three members of the Senator Kyl's staff be granted floor privileges during the consideration of the national defense authorization bill: Paul Iarrobino, John Rood, and David Stephens.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. THURMOND. Thank you very much.

Mr. THURMOND. I move to lay it on the table. The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, national security remains the federal government's most important obligation to its citizens. The Committee on Armed Services recognizes its critical role within the Senate in carrying out the powers relating to national security which are granted to Congress in the Constitution. These include the power to: declare war; raise and support Armies; provide and maintain a Navy; make rules for the government and regulation of the Land and Naval Forces; provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia; give its advice and consent to treaties and to the nominations of officers of the United States. The members of the committee further understand the importance of the committee's jurisdiction within the Senate over matters relating to the common defense, the Department of Defense, the Military Departments, and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. The Armed Services Committee completed its markup last Thursday afternoon after 4 days of careful deliberation, voting unanimously to approve of the fiscal year 1998 defense authorization bill. I believe we have a good bill with a better balance between personnel quality of life programs, readiness, and modernization. The budget agreement reached this year represents a historic endeavor by the Congress and the President to reach a balanced budget by fiscal year 2002. While the budget agreement protects our military forces from unrealistic and unwise cuts, the committee remains concerned that the funding levels for defense may not provide sufficient funds to adequately sustain over time the personnel, quality of life, readiness, and modernization programs critical to our military services. The committee intends that the achievement of a balanced budget will not adversely affect the readiness and capabilities of our military forces and will endeavor, within the funds agreed upon for defense in the budget agreement, to ensure their essential readiness and capabilities. Changes in the world situation or threat, and adverse impacts from funding shortfalls on general readiness or on vital operational capabilities, are among the trends that might indicate a requirement for additional funds for defense. In such cases, the committee believes that national security requirements must take precedence over lesser priorities within the budget. In this bill, the committee worked to achieve a more appropriate balance between near-term and long-term readiness through investments in modernization, infrastructure, and research; maintenance of sufficient end-strengths at all grade levels and policies supporting the recruitment and retention of high quality personnel; fielding of the types and quantities of weapons systems and equipment needed to fight and win decisively with minimal risk to our troops; and ensuring an adequate, safe and reliable nuclear weapons capability. The committee worked to protect the quality of life of our military personnel and their families. Quality of life initiatives include provisions designed to provide equitable pay and benefits to military personnel, including a 2.8 percent pay raise to protect against inflation, and the restoration of appropriate levels of funding for the construction and maintenance of troop billets and military family housing. The committee remains concerned about military readiness. To ensure that U.S. Armed Forces remain the preeminent military power in the world, readiness requirements must be adequately funded. The committee is also concerned about the continuing migration of modernization funds to operations and maintenance accounts. We have consistently recommended a more robust, progressive modernization effort which will not only provide capabilities requisite for future military operations, but will lower future operational and maintenance costs as well. The committee has increased investment in the broad spectrum of research and development activities to ensure that U.S. military forces remain superior in technology to any potential adversary. We believe that effective development of advanced technologies will be a key factor in determining the victors on future battlefields. A program of stable, long-term investment in science and technology will remain vital to United States dominance of combat on land, at sea, in the air, and in space. The committee also directed a more detailed programming and budgeting process for the reserve components. The utilization and effectiveness of reserve component forces are dependent on proper funding to enhance their readiness and capabilities. Finally, the committee sought to accelerate the development and deployment of theater missile defense systems and to provide adequate funding for a national missile defense system to preserve the option to deploy such a system in fiscal year 2003. This bill also supports expeditious deployment of land and sea-based theater missile defense systems to protect United States and allied forces against the growing threat of cruise and ballistic missiles. The committee intends that, within the balanced budget agreement, we will provide adequately for our men and women in uniform to defend our Nation. The committee will continue to examine the adequacy of the funds we allocate to our national security. At the same time, we must search for ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our defense establishment--especially in the support structure--so that we can achieve savings to devote to the cutting edge of our military combat forces. The national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998 reflects a bipartisan approach to our national security interests, and provides a clear basis and direction for U.S. national security policies and programs into the 21st century. Let me make it clear to my colleagues--we do not have much time to complete action on this bill. If you have amendments, please come to the floor and introduce your amendment now. Remember that if you are adding anything to this bill that requires additional funding, you must provide a legitimate offset. Mr. President, I want to close by thanking all the Senators on the committee and commend them for their hard work on this bill. All 18 Senators on the committee voted for the bill. I also want to thank the staff on both sides and commend them for their hard work on the bill. I also ask unanimous consent that a list of members of the Armed Services Committee staff be included at this point in the Record in recognition of their dedication and hard work.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I believe we have a good bill and I urge all my colleagues to support it. privilege of the floor Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the privileges of the floor be granted to the following members of the Armed Services Committee staff during the pendency of S. 924, the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998, for today, each day the measure is pending and for rollcall votes thereon: Les Brownlee, Charlie Abell, Tricia L. Banks, John R. Barnes, Lucia Monica Chavez, Christine Kelley Cimko, Christine E. Cowart, Daniel J. Cox, Jr., Madelyn R. Creedon, Richard D. DeBobes, Marie F. Dickinson, Shawn H. Edwards, Jonathan L. Etherton, Pamela L. Farrell, and Richard W. Fieldhouse. Cristina W. Fiori, Jan Gordon, Creighton Greene, Gary M. Hall, Patrick ``PT'' Henry, Larry J. Hoag, Andrew W. Johnson, Melinda M. Koutsoumpas, Lawrence J. Lanzillotta, George W. Lauffer, Peter K. Levine, Paul M. Longsworth, David L. Lyles, Stephen L. Madey, Jr., and Michael J. McCord. J. Reaves McLeod, John H. Miller, Ann M. Mittermeyer, Bert K. Mizusawa, Jennifer L. O'Keefe, Cindy Pearson, Sharen E. Reaves, Sarah J. Ritch, Moultrie D. Roberts, Steven C. Saulnier, Cord A. Sterling, Scott W. Stucky, Eric H. Thoemmes, Roslyne D. Turner, Amy M. Vanderwerff, and Jennifer L. Wallace.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to commend Senator Levin, the ranking member of this committee, for his fine cooperation, advice and assistance during the preparation of this bill. This cooperation on his part greatly enhanced the successful completion of the 1998 defense authorization legislation. We worked in a bipartisan manner for the benefit of our great Nation, and by doing this I think we have brought to the floor an excellent bill on behalf of our Nation.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, we support the amendment. I suggest a voice vote.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, we have no objection to the amendment.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, the Feinstein amendment is primarily a judicial amendment, but it is a very worthy amendment, and I intend to support it. Mrs. FEINSTEIN addressed the Chair.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that there now be a period for the transaction of morning business with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 5 minutes each.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand in adjournment until the hour of 10 a.m. on Friday, June 20. I further ask consent that on Friday, immediately following the prayer, the routine requests through the morning hour be granted and the Senate then resume the DOD authorization bill.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, for the information of all Senators, tomorrow it is the hope of the majority leader that the Senate will be able to consider amendments to the DOD authorization bill. Following the DOD bill, the Senate will conduct a period for routine morning business. Votes will not occur on Friday of this week. On Monday, the Senate will begin the reconciliation bill. However, all votes with respect to that bill on Monday will be stacked to occur on Tuesday, June 24, at 9:30 a.m. Therefore, rollcall votes will occur beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. I remind all Members that there is a lot of work to be done before the Senate adjourns for the July 4 recess. Therefore, I would appreciate all Senators' cooperation in order to complete our business in a responsible fashion.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, if there be no further business to come before the Senate, I now ask that the Senate stand in adjournment under the previous order.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to favorably report out from the Committee on Armed Services an original bill, without a written report, which is a second version of the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998. This bill is identical to S. 924, the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998, ordered reported by the Committee on Armed Services on June 12, 1997, except that it does not contain sections 311, 312, and 313, pertaining to depot-level activities of the Department of Defense, which were contained in subtitle B of title III of that bill.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to favorably report out from the Committee on Armed Services an original bill, without a written report, which is a second version of the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998. This bill is identical to S. 924, the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998, ordered reported by the Committee on Armed Services on June 12, 1997, except that it does not contain sections 311, 312, and 313, pertaining to depot-level activities of the Department of Defense, which were contained in subtitle B of title III of that bill.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, the Senate has a very able majority leader. It is his business to take matters up after the committees have acted and to get action one way or the other. The Senate Armed Services Committee has brought forth a bill here. It is ready to be acted on. Why is this delayed? Some Senators are not pleased with what it contains. Now, any Senator who is not pleased with any portion of this bill and wishes to amend it or repeal it has an opportunity to offer an amendment to do that. But to say to the Senate, we are going to object to even taking up the bill, even considering the bill, and holding up the work of the Senate--isn't it reasonable to go forward with this bill, let amendments be offered, let them be acted on? That is the democratic way. Now, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed this bill out unanimously. Every member of the Senate Armed Services Committee voted for it. Every Republican and every Democrat voted for it. It cannot be too bad a bill in view of the unanimous support it has received. Again, I repeat, any Member who is dissatisfied with any portion of this bill has an opportunity to offer an amendment to the bill to their liking. I hope the objections to going forward with the bill and considering it will be discontinued and we can proceed with the welfare of the Senate which is to take up this bill and act on it. I yield the floor.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to favorably report out from the Committee on Armed Services, S. 858, the intelligence authorization bill for fiscal year 1998, without amendment or written report.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to report out from the Committee on Armed Services an original bill, the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998. The members of the Committee on Armed Services have put a great deal of work into this bill, which continues the long bipartisan tradition of the Senate in dealing with the vital issues of the Nation's security. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I am pleased to report out from the Committee on Armed Services an original bill, the national defense authorization bill for fiscal year 1998. The members of the Committee on Armed Services have put a great deal of work into this bill, which continues the long bipartisan tradition of the Senate in dealing with the vital issues of the Nation's security. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce, along with Senator Hollings, a bill which will suspend the duties imposed on certain equipment used to manufacture earthmoving tires. Currently, these machines are not manufactured in the United States nor is a substitute readily available. Therefore, suspending the duties on these items would not adversely affect domestic industries. Mr. President, suspending the duty on these machines will benefit the consumers of earthmoving tires. Currently, demand for these tires exceeds supply and this suspension would not harm other manufacturers. I hope the Senate will consider this measure expeditiously. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce, along with Senator Hollings, a bill which will suspend the duties imposed on certain equipment used to manufacture earthmoving tires. Currently, these machines are not manufactured in the United States nor is a substitute readily available. Therefore, suspending the duties on these items would not adversely affect domestic industries. Mr. President, suspending the duty on these machines will benefit the consumers of earthmoving tires. Currently, demand for these tires exceeds supply and this suspension would not harm other manufacturers. I hope the Senate will consider this measure expeditiously. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. THURMOND

Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, the primary mission of any army is to fight and win the wars of the nation which it protects. For the past 222 years, since June 14, 1776, the soldiers of the United States Army have valiantly and successfully defended the interests, ideals, and people of our Nation. The American Army that was born on that June day a little more than two centuries ago is very different from the military force that meets our Nation's security needs as we prepare to enter the new millenium. The soldiers of our first Army were largely untrained, were poorly and infrequently paid, and faced tremendous logistical burdens. It is truly testament to the leadership abilities of General Washington that he was able to hold his troops together in the face of such odds. Of course, the men and women who serve in today's Army receive months of intensive and excellent training before they join their units, are paid fair wages on a regular basis, and benefit from a commitment to creating a professional, career oriented force. Despite these differences, one thing that has remained constant about those who have served in the United States Army over the past 222 years is that these are largely men and women who are selfless individuals and who are motivated by a patriotic desire to make a difference. From Valley Forge to Sierra Leone, no nation's army has benefitted more from the efforts of a finer array of people than our's. Throughout its history, the American Army and its soldiers have served with distinction on literally every continent of the world. Minutemen, Johnny Reb & Billy Yank, Rough Riders, Doughboys, Dogfaces, and GI Joes have stood up to dictators, deposed tyrants, beaten back communism, defended freedom, and protected all that we hold dear. Additionally, our soldiers have served as a grassroots diplomatic corps in combat boots, spreading to people around the globe the knowledge that Americans are peaceful, that there is no finer form of government than democracy, and that we prefer building friendships with the citizens of other nations to fighting them in wars. There is no question that in many ways, a candy bar given to a small child from a smiling GI is the best form of foreign aid and diplomatic relations that can be undertaken by the United States. While the battlefield accomplishments of the United States Army are impressive and unequalled in history, the missions of today's Army go far beyond that of warfighting. In addition to being able to act and react decisively to threats to our Nation no matter where they might arise, our Army is now tasked with a number of non-traditional missions which range from providing fresh water to refugees in Rwanda to keeping the peace in Bosnia. Though these missions are more varied and decidedly different from simply containing or destroying our enemies, our soldiers have characteristically embraced their new responsibilities without complaint and are carrying out their duties professionally. As we approach the new century and look to the future, Americans have good cause to be optimistic. Our Nation is enjoying a period of prosperiety, the world is in a relativly peaceful state, and we no longer are in a Cold War contest with another superpower, however, we must not allow ourselves to be lulled into a state of complacency. While things are calm now, we must remember that threats to our security and interest can crop up suddenly and we must remain vigiliant for such developments. We cannot ignore our military and those who serve in them, to do so would undermine years of hard work and the significant investment we have made in building the finest and most technologically advanced fighting forces ever known to man. Clearly the Army will continue to have a critical role in assuring that the United States remains secure and that the world remains a stable place where disputes are resolved in manners short of warfare. Mr. President, as the Army celebrates its 222nd birthday, it is important that we pause from our duties to remember the men and women who have served in the ranks of this service throughout its history. It is easy to forget that those who protect us and who carryout the policies we develop in this Chamber are individuals who are young, making many sacrifices, and have volunteered to protect the Nation. Their service is invaluable and they should be commended for their efforts. On this occasion I say to each of these soldiers, from the newest graduate of Fort Jackson to Chief of Staff Reimer, a happy 222nd birthday and thank you for all you do to keep the United States free and safe.