This
Statement of Administration Policy provides the Administration's views
on the Military Construction Appropriations Bill, FY 2002, as reported
by the House Committee. We look forward to working with Congress to
ensure that the Nations's priorities are met while encouraging the
economic growth that is the essential guarantee of continued fiscal
strength. A number of the programs funded within this bill may have
modified requirements as a consequence of the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001. The Administration is currently reviewing these
new requirements and anticipates funding them through the FY 2001
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Recovery from and Response
to Terrorist Attacks on the United States.
The
Administration commends the Committee's efforts to produce a bill
in line with the Administration's defense priorities. In particular,
we appreciate the Committee's full support of the President's Housing
Initiative to improve the quality of life for America's military
service members. We also appreciate the full funding of the Chemical
Demilitarization and Base Realignment and Closure programs.
Overall
Funding Level
While
we support the Committee's intent of improving service members'
quality of life, the bill's overall funding level exceeds the Administration's
request by over $500 million. Within this net increase, the Committee
has funded about 70 unrequested projects. This increase for unrequested
projects could potentially constrain the Committee's ability to
support higher priority programs in other areas.
Raising
the Davis-Bacon Threshold
The
Committee bill does not include language raising the Davis-Bacon
threshold for military construction and family housing construction
contracts. The Administration believes that having the Davis-Bacon
requirements apply only to contracts over $1 million would save
money, simplify contracting procedures, and encourage wider participation
by small businesses. The Administration hopes the House will include
this change in subsequent versions of the bill.
NATO
Security Investment Program (NSIP) and the Partnership for Peace
The
Committee elected to retain language restricting the use of NSIP
or other military construction funding to support the Partnership
for Peace programs in the countries of the former Soviet Union.
We believe that this provision could adversely affect U.S. foreign
policy options for this program and hinder our support of future
NATO-led programs. We would like to work with the House to delete
this restriction from the bill.
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