This
Statement of Administration Policy provides the Administration's views
on the Supplemental Appropriations Bill, FY 2001, as reported by the
Senate Appropriations Committee.
The
Administration supports passage of the bill as reported by the Senate
Appropriations Committee. The Administration applauds the Senate's
efforts to provide most of the funding requested by the Administration
to enhance defense readiness, operations, and maintenance and to
improve the morale of our servicemen, women, and families, as well
as other priorities and to do so without the use of unnecessary
emergency designations. The President's senior advisors would recommend
that the President sign a bill that reflects his priorities and
is within the levels the discretionary spending limits allow.
The
Administration commends the Senate for not including the provision
in the House-passed version of the bill that would have rescinded
$389 million in disaster relief funds for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA is continuing to assess the impact
of Tropical Storm Allison on Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, and
these funds may be needed to pay for this or other natural disasters
occurring in FY 2001.
The
Administration is committed to working with the Congress to enact
the supplemental appropriations bill as soon as possible in order
to address compelling fourth-quarter requirements. It is imperative
to enact this measure promptly to meet critical national security
and other needs. The Administration looks forward to working with
the Senate in order to enact this bill as expeditiously as possible.
|