Sign in Subscribe
Clinton, Bill

Senate Republicans Optimistic on Defense Appropriations Bill Amidst Balkan Tensions

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Clinton is expected to sign the $243 billion FY '96 Defense Appropriations Bill, according to Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, after their meeting yesterday. The legislation, which will become law Thursday at midnight unless vetoed, includes $645 million for U.S. operations in Bosnia and an additional $500 million that President Clinton could use for that purpose. The bill's passage has been seen as uncertain, with Democrats on Capitol Hill suggesting that Clinton may veto it. However, recent developments suggest that the president may sign the bill, particularly after meeting with lawmakers and presidential contenders. The debate surrounding the deployment of U.S. ground troops to Bosnia as part of a peacekeeping mission remains contentious, with Republicans warning that if the president vetoes the defense spending bill, they will not support the mission.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole is optimistic that President Clinton will sign the $243 billion FY '96 Defense Appropriations Bill, which contains $645 million for U.S. operations in Bosnia.
  • The defense appropriations bill also includes an additional $500 million that President Clinton could use for the Bosnia mission, if the way the legislation is drafted is followed.
  • Democrats on Capitol Hill have earlier expressed doubts that Clinton would back down from vetoing the defense spending bill, but it seems that may not be the case.
  • Republican presidential nomination contender Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.) thinks lawmakers need to vote on whether or not U.S. troops should be sent to Bosnia, with a clear decision required.
  • Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) has called on President Clinton to explain fully the scope, length, and anticipated costs of the deployment before sending any U.S. troops to Bosnia.

Statistics:

  • $243 billion: The total amount of the FY '96 Defense Appropriations Bill allocated for defense spending.
  • $645 million: The amount included in the defense appropriations bill for U.S. operations in Bosnia.
  • $500 million: The additional amount that President Clinton could use for the Bosnia mission, if the way the legislation is drafted is followed.
  • 7 billion: The amount by which the $243 billion spending bill exceeds the administration's requested budget.

Sources:

  • Defense Daily, Nov. 19

Read more