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This Statement of Administration Policy provides the Administration's views
on H.R. 4059, the Military Construction Appropriations Bill, FY 1999, as
reported by the House Appropriations Committee. Your consideration of the
Administration?s views would be appreciated.
The Administration is disappointed that the Committee has chosen to
increase funding above the level requested for the Military Construction
Appropriations Bill, while reducing the President's request for national
defense programs funded by the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill
and the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.
The Committee has added $580 million to the President's request for over 90
specific, unrequested projects and other programs, partially offset by $130
million in reductions to requested items. The Administration urges that
the unrequested funding be deleted, and funding for requested programs be
restored.
Other Objectionable Features
The Administration objects to the Committee's:
- Refusal to provide advance appropriations of $568.6 million for a
number of large construction projects, especially ammunition
demilitarization facilities. Advance appropriations would ensure that
full funding is available to complete projects before construction
begins. Without full funding, it is difficult to optimize planning,
scheduling, and cost control. The Administration opposes incremental
funding of these projects and urges the House to provide the advance
appropriations as requested.
- Failure to include requested authority that would enable the
Secretary of Defense to transfer appropriations within the appropriation
accounts in the Military Construction Appropriations Act. Similar
transfer authority in Defense Appropriations Acts has been used with
great success to meet unplanned requirements, without reducing the
opportunity for congressional oversight.
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