Statement on Signing the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2002

Statement on Signing the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 2002

November 5, 2001

Today I have signed into law H.R. 2904, the ``Military Construction
Appropriations Act, 2002,'' which provides $10.5 billion for military
construction and family housing programs administered by the Department
of Defense.
I appreciate the bipartisan effort that has gone into producing this
Act. The Act abides by the agreed upon aggregate funding level for
Fiscal Year 2002 of $686 billion and funds the vast majority of my
request for military construction projects, the military housing
program, and other projects for our military personnel and their
families. The requested projects are critical to supporting military
readiness and the quality of life for our soldiers. My Administration
showed its commitment to improving the quality of housing available to
our military personnel and their families by including an additional
$400 million in the FY 2002 Budget. I want to thank the Congress for
including it in this bill. However, I am disappointed that the bill
includes a 1.127 percent general reduction, and a rescission of $55
million from the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.
As America battles terrorism, we must ensure that our men and women
in uniform live in, train at, and deploy from adequate facilities. This
bill shows our commitment to our service members by constructing and
upgrading military installations, and military family housing in the
United States and overseas.
My Administration appreciates that the Congress has worked
expeditiously during this difficult and trying time in our Nation's
history to consider the FY 2002 appropriations bills. Now, through a
renewed sense of bipartisanship, the Congress and my Administration must
work together to ensure the timely enactment of the remaining bills.
George W. Bush
The White House,
November 5, 2001.