26 September 2001Texts: Bush, Rumsfeld Welcome House Action on Defense Spending
(They praise House approval of authorization bill) (310) President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld hailed passage of the $344,000 million fiscal year 2002 defense authorization bill by the U.S. House of Representatives as strengthening U.S. national security at a critical time. President Bush said in a written statement September 25 that the bill "strengthens the United States' ability to meet the security challenges ahead" and also provides "the most significant pay raise in recent memory." Rumsfeld said the House action "sends a strong message of support" to the uniformed military. The Senate is still considering its own version of the legislation. Following are the texts of the statements by Bush and Rumsfeld: (begin text) THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary September 25, 2001 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT I am pleased that the House has taken the vital step to ensure our Nation's security by passing the Defense Authorization Bill. The legislation will improve the quality of life for the men and women of our armed forces by providing the most significant pay raise in recent memory. Equally important, the bill strengthens the United States' ability to meet the security challenges ahead. I look forward to signing a strong bill into law. (end text) (begin text) United States Department of Defense September 25, 2001 HOUSE PASSAGE OF FY02 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld today released the following statement: I thank the House for its quick bipartisan action to pass this important measure. It sends a strong message of support for the men and women who proudly wear the uniform of our Nation at this important time in our history. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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