Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993 TAG: 9311160128
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Approved by a vote of 273-135, the overall package largely tracks President Clinton's military blueprint and postpones many of the tough decisions on cutting weapons and reducing troops.
The House bill includes a policy on military treatment of homosexuals advocated by Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, not the position the president wants.
Opposition from the military and Congress forced Clinton to drop his campaign pledge to lift the 50-year-old ban on homosexuals serving in the armed forces.
He then set forth a policy of "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue," which says sexual orientation is not a bar to service, but open homosexuals would be forced out.
Nunn, Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, wrote his own policy that was adopted by the House and Senate.
The Nunn policy says "don't ask" about sexual orientation, but allows a future defense secretary to reinstate the question. It says "don't tell" because homosexuality is an "unacceptable risk" to morale, good order and discipline.
The Nunn policy also makes no mention of "don't pursue" to stop the witch hunts to ferret out gays.
The White House and Nunn have said the senator's policy is "fully consistent" with the president's plan. Clinton's policy is a directive to the armed services, but Nunn's policy, once the president signs the legislation, will be law.
The Senate is expected to vote on the package this week before sending it to the president.
The budget for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 is $2.6 billion less than Clinton proposed and $12 billion below last year's.
"This report reflects a well-reasoned and prudent approach for funding defense programs," said Rep. Ron Dellums, D-Calif., of his first military budget since succeeding Defense Secretary Les Aspin as Armed Services Committee chairman.
But the panel's ranking Republican, Floyd Spence of South Carolina, said the cuts represent only one-tenth of what the Clinton administration plans, and "the next few years we're facing disaster."
Among the bill's provisions:
Approximately $3 billion for ballistic missile defense, a cut of $745 million from Clinton's request and $1.1 billion below last year's level. Earlier this year, the Pentagon overhauled the Strategic Defense Initiative to focus on a limited defense system.
A 2.2 percent pay raise effective Jan. 1, 1994, despite Clinton's call for an across-the-board pay freeze.
Repeal of the restriction on women serving on Navy combat ships, consistent with administration policy.
$2.9 billion to assist communities and contractors hard-hit by reductions in defense spending.
$2 billion for six C-17 transport planes. Reflecting Congress' disenchantment with a program marked by cost overruns, schedule delays and wings that have failed stress tests, the bill also authorizes $100 million for alternatives such as C-5 planes or wide-body aircraft.
$1.7 billion to complete the B-2 stealth bomber program and removal of the limits imposed on about $2.3 billion previously appropriated.
Last week, Congress approved and Clinton signed the defense spending bill appropriating the money the legislation authorizes.
by CNB