THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 25, 1996 TAG: 9606250269
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 32 lines
The big defense bill awaiting Senate passage this week would protect thousands of jobs in the home states of well-situated lawmakers.
A private group's study says the bill includes $4.6 billion for weapons not included in the Pentagon's long-term plans. The lion's share goes to states represented by prominent members of defense policy and spending committees.
``It is clear that senators on the key military committees are more concerned with their own job security than national security,'' said John Isaacs, president of the Council for a Livable World, an arms control advocacy group.
Lawmakers seeking approval of the Senate Armed Services Committee's $267 billion defense spending bill disputed that conclusion.
Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., chairman of the committee, said senior military officers argued for the increased weapons spending.
Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, would see his home state benefit from $489 million in additional spending on C-130 transport planes built by Lockheed Martin Corp. in Marietta, Ga. That's the home town of House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.
Texas is also a big winner, benefiting from $483 million for programs such as the Kiowa Warrior helicopter, MLRS rockets, F-16 fighter and C-20 jet. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, is a member of the armed services panel.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations military construction subcommittee, will send home the second-largest increase for military construction add-ons, $29.5 million. by CNB