Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 30, 1993 TAG: 9309300037
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
By a vote of 268-162, lawmakers adopted an overall package for next year that is $571 million less than President Clinton sought in his first military budget and $12 billion less than this year as the post-Cold-War trend of cutting defense spending continues.
The bill writes into law a policy that prohibits open homosexuals from serving in the armed services, branding them an "unacceptable risk" to morale, good order and discipline.
Clinton announced a compromise plan on July 19 that ended the practice of questioning recruits and service members about their sexual orientation but allowed the military to continue to discharge homosexuals.
Senate Armed Services Chairman Sam Nunn, D-Ga., a leading opponent of ending the ban outright, crafted a policy that continues the practice of not questioning about orientation, but allows a future defense secretary to reinstate it.
The House adopted the Senate policy Tuesday. Final congressional approval of the budget and Clinton's expected signature will make the policy on gays law, superseding the president's own directive.
Exasperated with continued U.S. military involvement in Somalia, the House joined the Senate in approving a nonbinding resolution asking the president to report by Oct. 15 on the goals of the Somalia operation. It also urged Clinton to seek congressional authorization by Nov. 15 for continued U.S. involvement.
Acknowledging the weak congressional support for U.S. participation in U.N. nation-building in the East African nation, Clinton said Tuesday he backs a strategy that puts the issue in the hands of the Somalis and sets a fixed date for the United States to get out.
The committee's ranking Republican, Rep. Floyd Spence of South Carolina, said he has opposed defense budgets since 1985, when the military cuts began, and would do the same this year.
"The Clinton administration's focus on cutting defense spending while expanding the commitment of our forces abroad threaten to return us to the hollow forces of the late 1970s," Spence said.
Among the other provisions of the spending plan for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1:
More than $3 billion to assist communities hit hard by reductions in defense spending.
Cancellation of the Navy's AX attack fighter aircraft and the Air Force's multi-role fighter.
A 2.2 percent, across-the-board pay raise for military personnel despite Clinton's call for a pay freeze.
A total of $3 billion for Ballistic Missile Defense, formerly known as the Strategic Defense Initiative or Star Wars. Clinton had sought $800 million more for the program.
Just before final passage, the House turned aside a Republican-sponsored measure that would have required the president to certify to Congress before placing U.S. troops under foreign command that it is necessary to protect vital U.S. interests.
Rep. Ron Dellums, D-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, argued that such a step deserved further congressional scrutiny and was opposed by Clinton and Defense Secretary Les Aspin. The measure failed, 238-192.
by CNB