Speech #1010137574

If I may continue. the point I want to make by way of emphasis is this: The choice the Members are facing on this vote is whether we want to leave the 5 percent in the defense budget or whether we want to spend the 5 percent on economic development in Panama and Nicaragua and for refugees. That is the issue because if the gentlemans amendment is adopted. the money will not go to the domestic needs that all of us think are important. the money will stay in the defense budget. If the gentlemans amendment is reJected. the same money. instead of being in the defense budget. will go for economic development in Nicaragua and Panama and for the refugees we have talked about. I think in those terms it is much more responsible. as the gentleman from Massachusetts has said. for us to reject the amendment and invest in Americas interest and stability and economic development in these countries next door.