May 21, 1998 - Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith voted for the 1999 Defense Authorization bill today, saying that it makes progress toward protecting the United States in an "increasingly dangerous world," invests in service members' quality of life, and fits into the Balanced Budget Act.

"We are in an age of shrinking federal budgets and facing an increasingly dangerous world at the same time," Smith said. "It's absolutely critical that we utilize each and every defense dollar to its greatest extent."

Smith takes a three-pronged approach to preserving U.S. national security: ensuring that the United States has the best military in the world, implementing a superior theater missile defense system, and working to reduce nuclear weapon stockpiles and proliferation.

Smith asserts that we are no longer challenged by a monolithic adversary, but rather threatened by a myriad of dangerous flashpoints erupting around the world. This relative lull from a formidable force should give us an opportunity to transform our military to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

"Now is the time to modernize our forces to make sure our soldiers have the equipment and training necessary to do their job," Smith said. "Funding new tactical air power programs, such as the F-22 and Joint Strike Fighter, is key to preparing our forces for tomorrow's fight."

Smith also supports development of the Airborne Laser (ABL) theater missile defense system. "The Airborne Laser provides the first defense against ballistic missiles in the boost phase," said Smith. "Additionally, the Airborne Laser will act as a strong deterrent against rogue nations contemplating chemical or biological attacks against our ground forces or allies."

Smith also emphasized the need to fund reduction of nuclear stockpiles and halt proliferation. "If you could build a missile defense system that would destroy half the nuclear threats around the world, you'd fund it in a second," said Smith. "A cooperative threat reduction program does just that — it accelerates the dismantling of former Soviet strategic offensive arms that threaten the United States."

This program, commonly referred to as Nunn-Lugar, will receive $417.4 million for all activities related to transportation, safe storage, and elimination of nuclear weapons. "Every time we destroy a nuclear weapon, the world becomes a little bit safer," said Smith.

The United States also faces potential short-term security threats, said Smith. "China poses quite a dilemma, because it is both a potential trading partner and a national security problem; however, in this case, I think we must act with caution and put national security concerns over business interests," he said. "I voted for three amendments to the bill, all of which passed, to ensure that the United States isn't giving China missile technology."

The bill also provides a 3.6 percent basic pay raise for service members and extends the authority for several special pays and bonuses for active duty personnel and reserve personnel.

"Since we have an all-volunteer military, we must make sure that the military is an attractive career choice for young Americans," Smith said. "Towards that end, Congress must provide competitive pay, honest benefits and top-notch services for the men and women serving our country."

Smith said the bill also addresses the erosion of the health care benefits of service members, their families, and retirees. "Military retirees and their dependents are having an increasingly difficult time accessing the military health care system," explained Smith. "The legislation would direct the Defense Department to submit a plan in which all military beneficiaries would have access to an adequate health care benefit by the year 2001."

The House also approved an amendment to authorize a demonstration program to offer enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program to military Medicare-eligible retirees. 

Smith succeeding in adding $3.1 million to construct a medical training facility for Reserve Medical Group, 446th Aeromedical Patient Staging Squadron and Medical Squadron at McChord Air Force Base. McChord will also receive $82.5 million to prepare the base for the arrival of 48 C-17 Globemaster III transporters.

Fort Lewis, which received $5 million last year for a brand -new Troop Medical and Dental Clinic, will receive $1.8 million for a close combat tactical trainer building.

"The construction projects at Fort Lewis and McChord will help those bases prepare for the future and better serve the men and women stationed there," said Smith.

Smith also supports the bill's overall funding level — $270.4 billion — which is within the parameters of the Balanced Budget Act.

"The Defense Authorization bill stuck to the spending levels outlined in the Balanced Budget Act," explained Smith. "Within those parameters, we prioritized and made appropriate investments in our service members' quality of life and procuring the technology we need to have the best military in the world."