WHAT KERRY WANTED:
In 1994, Kerry Proposed Amendment To Gut Intelligence Budget By $6 Billion Across The Board. The amendment cut $1 billion from FY 1994 and $5 billion for FY 1995 through 1998. 75 Senators, including Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) voted against Kerry’s amendment. (Amdt. To H.R. 3759, CQ Vote #39: Rejected 20-75: R 3-37; D 17-38, 2/10/94, Kerry Voted Yea; Kennedy Voted Nay)
WHAT HIS DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES DID …
Then-Senate Intel Chair Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ) Said Previous Cuts Were “As Deep As The Intelligence Community Can Withstand,” And Kerry’s 1994 Proposal Ignored Terrorism, Imperiled National Security. “[L]ast year’s intelligence cut was as deep as the intelligence community can withstand during its post-cold-war transition. … We no longer seem immune from acts of terrorism in the United States and the scourge of narcotics has hardly abated. … It makes no sense for us to close our eyes and ears to developments around the world …” (Sen. Dennis DeConcini, Congressional Record, 2/10/94, p. S1360)
Sen. Daniel Inouye Warned Kerry’s Proposed 1994 Cut “Would Severely Hamper” Intel Efforts And Ignored Threats Of North Korean Nukes And Terrorism. “[T]he intelligence budget has already been cut by almost 18 percent over the past 2 years. An additional reduction of $1 billion would severely hamper the intelligence community’s ability to provide decision makers and policymakers with information on matters of vital concern to this country. … These issues include nuclear proliferation by North Korea … as well as terrorist threats against American citizens and property.” (Sen. Daniel Inouye [D-HI], Congressional Record, 2/10/94, pp. S1330-S1332) |
