National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006--Continued

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006--Continued

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AMENDMENT NO. 2477

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, if we could have order in the Senate, can the Senators with this amendment be recognized for, I think, 2 minutes each?

Mr. TALENT. Mr. President, Senator Lieberman and I have introduced this amendment which we believe is crucial in providing our Armed Forces with the air transport capabilities they need. The amendment is cosponsored by Senators Stevens, Boxer, Feinstein, Cornyn, Chambliss, and a number of others. We have worked with the chairman, the ranking member, and the managers, and are grateful for their help. It has been cleared on both sides. It is an important amendment. I encourage the Senate to agree to it.

Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I oppose the amendment. There has been a mobility capability study which indicates that we have an acceptable number for this capability.

We are looking at cuts in defense spending, and there are a lot of tremendous cost overruns. We are looking at rapidly escalating procurement costs. These additional aircraft are not needed. They are not needed today. I believe we have to at some point have some kind of discipline and listen to what we need and have in capabilities, and this is not one of them.

I yield the floor.

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