07 September 2001
Senate Committee Cuts Missile Defense Spending Below Bush Request
(Panel acts as it passes FY2002 defense authorization bill) (550) By Ralph Dannheisser Washington File Congressional Correspondent Washington -- The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved a $343,000 million defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2002 that cuts some $1,300 million from the Bush administration's top priority missile defense program. The committee action September 7 came by a 13-12 party-line vote on the measure, drafted by the majority Democrats. Participants in the closed-door meeting said that the final vote followed soon after defeat of an amendment to restore $1,000 million in missile defense spending, offered by Senator John Warner of Virginia, the committee's senior Republican. That amendment failed by an identical 13-12 vote. The administration has been seeking $8,300 million in funds for preliminary work on a missile defense system in FY2002, which starts this coming October 1 -- an increase of about $3,000 million over funding for the purpose in the current fiscal year. Levin observed that, even with the cut, "We're giving him (Bush) the largest increase of probably any program in the defense budget." The House Armed Services Committee, controlled by the Republicans, rejected a Democratic effort to impose a cut of almost $1,000 million dollars in its own version of the defense spending legislation. The differences remain to be worked out as the measure proceeds through the legislative process in both chambers, and ultimately in a conference committee of House and Senate members. The president and the Defense Department have been adamant in insisting that they will oppose any reduction in the funds they consider necessary for missile defense testing and development. The Senate committee's measure also includes a provision, proposed by its chairman, Michigan Democrat Carl Levin, that would require congressional approval before Defense runs any tests that violate terms of the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty signed in 1972 with the former Soviet Union. The administration has said repeatedly that it wants to "move beyond" the limitations of that treaty -- in tandem with Russia if possible, unilaterally by dropping out of the pact after giving the required six months notice if necessary. Russia continues to view the treaty as an integral part of the overall structure of international arms agreements. Levin said the $1,300 million cut approved by the committee would be spread between national and theater missile defense funds. But he said it would not apply to spending on a test site in Alaska that the administration is developing. The full Senate is expected to take up the measure as early as the week of September 17. House and Senate versions of the bill differ on other aspects as well as missile defense funding, notably the issue of military base closings. The Senate bill contemplates a new round of closings in 2003, while the House included no such provision. The Defense Department strongly favors closing more bases, arguing that 20 percent to 25 percent of military facilities are no longer needed, and that the money saved by eliminating them could be used to fund more pressing defense needs. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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