Kerry's Voting Record on Defense

Kerry's Voting Record on Defense.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kerry has voted for at least SEVEN major reductions in Defense and Military spending, necessary for our national security:

1) In 1996 - Introduced Bill to slash Defense Department Funding by $6.5 Billion.

2) In 1995 - Voted to freeze Defense spending for 7 years, slashing over $34 billion from Defense.

3) Fiscal 1996 Budget Resolution - Defense Freeze. "Harkin, D-Iowa, amendment to freeze defense spending for the next seven years and transfer the $34.8 billion in savings to education and job training."

* Cut the number of Navy submarines and their crews
* Reduce the number of light infantry units in the Army down to one
* Reduce tactical fighter wings in the Air Force
* Terminate the Navy's coastal mine-hunting ship program
* Force the retirement of no less than 60,000 members of the Armed Forces in one year.

* In 1993, voted against increased Defense spending for Military Pay Raise. Kerry voted to kill an increase in military pay over five years.
* In 1992, voted to cut $6 billion from Defense.
* In 1991, voted to slash over $3 Billion from Defense. Shift money to social programs.
* In 1991, voted to cut defense spending by 2%
* Voted repeatedly to cut or eliminate funding for B-2 Stealth Bomber
* Voted repeatedly against Missile Defense - Weapons Kerry sought to phase out were VITAL in Iraq. "[K]erry supported cancellation of a host of weapons systems that have become the basis of US military might-the high-tech munitions and delivery systems on display to the world as they leveled the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein in a matter of weeks." (Brian C. Mooney, "Taking One Prize, Then A Bigger One," The Boston Globe, 6/19/03)
* Military hardware he felt we no longer need since the "cold war" is past. The money would be better spent on "social" programs. These weapons are now the core of our military might. * F-16 Fighting Falcons. * B-1Bs B-2As F-15 And F-16s * M1 Abrams * Patriot Missile * AH-64 Apache Helicopter * Tomahawk Cruise Missile * Aegis Air-Defense Cruiser

6) During 1980s Kerry And Michael Dukakis joined forces with liberal group dedicated to slashing Defense. Kerry sat on the board of "Jobs With Peace Campaign," which sought to "develop public support for cutting the defense budget..."("Pentagon Demonstrators Call For Home-Building, Not Bombs," The Associated Press, 6/3/88)

7) While running for Congress in 1972, Kerry promised to cut Defense Spending. "On what he'll do if he's elected to Congress," Kerry said he would 'bring a different kind of message to the president." He said he would, "Vote against military appropriations." ("Candidate's For Congress Capture Campus In Andover," Lawrence [MA] Eagle-Tribune, 4/21/72)

"So you can look at all the potential threats of the world, and when you add the expenditures of all of our allies to the United States of America, you have to stop and say to yourself, 'What is it that we are really preparing for in a post-cold-war world?'" (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 5/15/96, p. S5061)

More:

http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=4145

DID YOU GET THE MEMO?
Kerry's Defense Vision Laid Out In 1984 Campaign Memo: Cut, Cut, Cut, Cancel, Cancel, Cancel
____________________________________________________

To Read The Kerry Memo, Click Here.
To Read Chairman Gillespie's Memo To Republicans, Click Here.

JOHN KERRY'S "OVERALL DEFENSE STRATEGY"

Kerry Proposed Cutting $54 Billion From FY 1985 Defense Budget As Part Of "Long-Range Proposal To Cut $200 Billion From The Defense Budget Over Four Years," And Called For Cancellation Of At Least 27 Weapons Systems And Reductions In 18 Other Systems. "[Kerry] recommended cancellation of 27 weapons systems including the B1 bomber, the cruise missile, MX missile, Trident submarine, Patriot air defense missile, F15 fighter plane, Sparrow missile, stealth bomber and Pershing II missile. He recommended reductions in 18 other systems including the joint tactical air system, the Bradley fighting vehicle, the M1 Abrams tank and the F16 fighter plane." (Chris Black, "Kerry Asks Cuts In Defense Outlay," The Boston Globe, 5/30/84)

But Kerry Was Open To Even More Cuts Than He Had Already Listed. "There is nothing cast in stone about this list … It is an effort to create a dialogue in this campaign. It may be that there could be additional cuts." ("Kerry Asks $54 Billion Cut In Reagan Defense Budget," Berkshire Eagle, 5/30/84)

In Fact, Kerry Expanded List To "Specific Cuts In Some 60 Categories" In Discussion With The Cape Codder Newspaper, Including: SSN-688 Los Angeles Class Nuclear Attack Submarine, Trident I Submarine, Trident I Missile, Trident II Submarine-Based Missile, Midgetman Missile, Pershing II Missile, DDG-51 Aegis air defense destroyer, and CG-47 Aegis air defense cruiser. ("John F. Kerry," 1984 State Primary Newspaper Supplement, The Cape Codder, 9/11/84)

According To His Foreign Policy Advisor, Kerry's Proposed Cuts Formed "Overall Defense Strategy." "Joining Kerry was Michael Nacht, chairman of Kerry's foreign policy task force and an instructor at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, who said Kerry's proposal was 'unique' because it was an overall defense strategy, not just a pro or con statement about certain Reagan administration programs." ("Kerry Asks $54 Billion Cut In Reagan Defense Budget," Berkshire Eagle, 5/30/84)

IF KERRY HAD HAD HIS WAY IN 1984 …

NO AEGIS DESTROYERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT

Kerry Proposed Cancellation Of Aegis Destroyer In 1984. ("John Kerry On The Defense Budget," Campaign Position Paper, John Kerry For U.S. Senate, 1984; "John F. Kerry," 1984 State Primary Newspaper Supplement, The Cape Codder, 9/11/84)

In 1985, First Of 52 Arleigh Burke Destroyers Was Ordered. (Federation Of American Scientists Military Analysis Network Website, "DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-Class," http://www.fas.org/man, Accessed 3/20/04)

Aegis Destroyer "Intended To Replace Some 30 Ships Due For Retirement Around 1990." ("Congress Authorizes $219 Billion For Defense," CQ Almanac 1984, p. 41)

NO B-2 BOMBERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT

Kerry Proposed Cancellation Of B-2 Bomber In 1984. (Brian C. Mooney, "Taking One Prize, Then A Bigger One," The Boston Globe, 6/19/03)

"The B-2 Development Program Was Initiated In 1981, And The Air Force Was Granted Approval In 1987 To Begin Procurement Of 132 Operational B-2 Aircraft …" (Federation Of American Scientists Military Analysis Network Website, "B-2 Spirit," http://www.fas.org/man, Accessed 4/26/04)

FEW PATRIOT MISSILE SYSTEMS WOULD HAVE
BEEN BUILT, AND NONE SENT TO FRONT LINES
OF COLD WAR TO PROTECT U.S. ALLIES

September 16, 1980: Initial Production Of Patriot Missile System Approved In 1980. ("Production Of New Anti-Aircraft Missile Approved," The Associated Press, 9/16/80)

ü October 1, 1980: "A limited production contract for PATRIOT was issued." (U.S. Army Redstone, Alabama Arsenal Website, "Patriot," http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/PATRIOT.html, Accessed 4/26/04)

ü December 1981: "The first PATRIOT missile was delivered." (U.S. Army Redstone, Alabama Arsenal Website, "Patriot," http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/PATRIOT.html, Accessed 4/26/04)

ü May 1982: "The Army's first PATRIOT missile battalion was activated." (U.S. Army Redstone, Alabama Arsenal Website, "Patriot," http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/PATRIOT.html, Accessed 4/26/04)

In November 1983, Army Ordered 440 Patriot Missiles And 12 Launchers. "The Army on Tuesday [11/29/83] awarded Raytheon Co. a $238 million contract for production of 440 Patriot air defense missiles and 12 firing units." ("Raytheon Gets Contract," The Associated Press, 11/29/83)

For FY 1984 Budget, Reagan Administration Requested 525 Patriot Missiles. "Among the major items requested for fiscal 1984 … [f]or the Army, $1.2 billion for 525 Patriot air defense missiles …" ("New Reagan Budget Increases Defense Spending 14% But Freezes Most Other Domestic Program Funding," Facts On File World News Digest, 2/4/83)

Kerry Proposed Cancellation Of Patriot Air Defense System In 1984. ("John Kerry On The Defense Budget," Campaign Position Paper, John Kerry For U.S. Senate, 1984)

September 14, 1984: "PATRIOT completed Follow-on Evaluation (FOE) III ahead of schedule. The highly successful test program demonstrated the system's capability to meet its operational requirements with production hardware and operational troops." (U.S. Army Redstone, Alabama Arsenal Website, "Patriot," http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/PATRIOT.html, Accessed 4/26/04)

ü October 1984: "The Army recommended deployment of PATRIOT to Europe." (U.S. Army Redstone, Alabama Arsenal Website, "Patriot," http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/PATRIOT.html, Accessed 4/26/04)

HUNDREDS, INSTEAD OF THOUSANDS, OF TOMAHAWK
CRUISE MISSILES WOULD HAVE BEEN PRODUCED

Tomahawk Missile First Deployed For Testing In 1983. (Federation Of American Scientists Military Analysis Network Website, "BGM-109 Tomahawk," http://www.fas.org/man, Accessed 3/28/04)

In FY 1982 And FY 1983, Over 60 Missiles Ordered. "McDonnell Douglas is scheduled to build 10 Tomahawk missiles with Fiscal 1982 funding. Contract for 52 missiles was awarded to the company in Fiscal 1983." (Eugene Kozicharow, "Tomahawk Moves Toward Dual-Source Production," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 2/6/84)

Kerry Called For 50% Reduction Of Tomahawk Missiles In 1984. ("John Kerry On The Defense Budget," Campaign Position Paper, John Kerry For U.S. Senate, 1984)

FY 1985 Pentagon Budget Request Set Aside $589 Million To Purchase Tomahawks Missiles. (The Associated Press, 5/31/84)

At Time Of Kerry's Proposed Reduction, Navy Was Warned Of Munitions Shortage, Including Tomahawk And Other Missiles Kerry Opposed. "The chief of naval operations had ordered Navy planners to 'rebalance' their programs to make up for crucial shortages of missiles, torpedoes and other munitions, it was reported March 31 … [Adm. James D.] Watkins informed Navy planning officers that funds alloted to the service were 'still not sufficient to fully relieve all critical shortages.' … The admiral cited the Reagan administration's objective of building a 600-ship Navy. He asserted that the service's main priority was to fully arm all new ships as the Navy grew. To that end, Watkins suggested a rechanneling of allocations into the production of munitions, particularly the Sparrow and Phoenix air-to-air missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, torpedoes and mines." ("Navy Munitions Shortage Cited," Facts On File World News Digest, 5/4/84)

In Early 1990s, Just After Gulf War, "There Were Approximately 2,500 Tomahawks In Inventory." (Federation Of American Scientists Military Analysis Network Website, "BGM-109 Tomahawk," http://www.fas.org/man, Accessed 4/26/04)

FAR FEWER BRADLEY FIGHTING VEHICLES WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT

Bradley Fighting Vehicle Initially Produced In 1981. (United Defense Website, "Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle," http://www.uniteddefense.com/prod/bradleyM2A3.htm, Accessed 3/26/04)

ü Twenty Bradleys Produced In Fourth Quarter Of 1981. (FMC Corporation, Press Release, 4/21/82)

About 300 Bradleys Were Expected To Ship In 1982. (FMC Corporation, Press Release, 4/21/82)

Reagan Administration Requested 600 Bradleys For FY 1984.(Richard Halloran, "5-Year Arms Plan Reaffirms Growth," The New York Times, 2/1/83)

Kerry Proposed Reductions In Bradley Fighting Vehicle Fleet In 1984. (Chris Black, "Kerry Asks Cuts In Defense Outlay," The Boston Globe, 5/30/84)

Reagan Administration Requested 655 Bradleys For FY 1985. ("$107.6 Billion In Budget Set For Military Orders," The New York Times, 2/2/84; Richard C. Gross, "Pentagon Agrees To $14 Billion Defense Cut," United Press International, 5/3/84)

Since 1981, Over 6,700 Bradleys Have Been Produced. "The Bradley Fighting Vehicle System is manufactured by United Defence Limited Partnership (UDLP) and includes the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle. It is in service with the armies of the USA and Saudi Arabia. Since 1981, 6,720 vehicles of both types have been fielded." ("Bradley M2/M3 Tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicles, USA," Army Technology Website, http://www.army-technology.com/projects/bradley/index.html, Accessed 4/26/04)

FAR FEWER F-16 FIGHTER JETS WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT

In 1975, General Dynamics Won Original $4.3 Billion Contract For 650 F-16s.("General Dynamics Renews Its Pentagon Romance," Business Week, 2/3/75)

First F-16 Was Deployed In January 1979. (Federation Of American Scientists Military Analysis Network Website, "F-16 Fighting Falcon," http://www.fas.org/man, Accessed 3/28/04)

In FY 1979, Funding Approved For At Least 120 F-16s. House version of Defense Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1979 included funds for 145 F-16s, However Senate appropriated funds for 120 F-16s. Cannot determine outcome in Conference Report. ("Defense Funds: $117.3 Billion," CQ Almanac 1978, p. 138, p. 142)

Defense Appropriations For Fiscal Year 1981 Included Funds For 180 F-16s. ("Congress Votes Hefty Increases For Defense," CQ Almanac 1980, p. 190)

Defense Appropriations For Fiscal Year 1982 Included Funds For 120 F-16s.("Reagan Defense Plan Given Final Approval," CQ Almanac 1981, p. 328)

Defense Appropriations For Fiscal Year 1984 Included Funds For 144 F-16s.("Funds Voted For Reagan Defense Buildup," CQ Almanac 1983, p. 488)

Kerry Proposed Reductions In F-16 Fleet In 1984. (Chris Black, "Kerry Asks Cuts In Defense Outlay," The Boston Globe, 5/30/84)

Defense Appropriations For Fiscal Year 1985 Included Funds For 150 F-16s.("For Defense, $274.4 Billion In Fiscal 1985," CQ Almanac 1984, p. 403)

FEWER THAN TWENTY APACHE HELICOPTERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT

First Apache Rolled Off Hughes' Assembly Line In September 1983 And By January 1984, Just Nine Production Models Were Completed. "The first Apache rolled off Hughes Helicopters' Arizona assembly line two months ahead of schedule on Sept. 30, 1983, just 18 months after ground was broken for the facility, the most advanced helicopter assembly plant in the world. Nine production Apaches are presently being completed at the Mesa complex." (Hughes Helicopters, Inc., "First Production Apache Helicopter Successfully Completes Inaugural Flight," Press Release, 1/9/84)

Kerry Proposed Cancellation Of Apache Helicopter In 1984. ("John Kerry On The Defense Budget," Campaign Position Paper, John Kerry For U.S. Senate, 1984)

And to actually see Kerry's memo about canceling virtually every defense program:

http://commrnc.grassroots.com/resources/kerry1984defensememo.pdf

And more:

http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=4207

Kerry Wrong for Defense and Foreign Policy

Kerry Is Weak On National Security

In 1993, Kerry Introduced Plan To Cut Numerous Defense Programs, Including:

ü Cut the number of Navy submarines and their crews

ü Reduce the number of light infantry units in the Army down to one

ü Reduce tactical fighter wings in the Air Force

ü Terminate the Navy’s coastal mine-hunting ship program

ü Force the retirement of no less than 60,000 members of the Armed Forces in one year. (S.1163, Introduced 6/24/93)

In 1996, Kerry Introduced Bill To Slash Defense Department Funding By $6.5 Billion. Kerry’s bill had no co-sponsors and never came to a floor vote. (S. 1580, Introduced 2/29/96)

In 1995, Kerry Voted To Freeze Defense Spending For 7 Years, Slashing Over $34 Billion From Defense. (S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #181: Rejected 28-71: R 2-51; D 26-20, 5/24/95, Kerry Voted Yea)

Running For Senate In 1984, Kerry Again Proposed Cuts As His “Overall Defense Strategy.” “Joining Kerry was Michael Nacht, chairman of Kerry’s foreign policy task force and an instructor at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, who said Kerry’s proposal was ‘unique’ because it was an overall defense strategy, not just a pro or con statement about certain Reagan administration programs.” (“Kerry Asks $54 Billion Cut In Reagan Defense Budget,” Berkshire Eagle, 5/30/84)

“[T]he Congressional Record Shows That Kerry’s First Speech In The Senate, On March 19, 1985, Was Made In Opposition To President Reagan’s Push To Build 21 MX Missiles.” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Admits To An Error In Boast About 1st Speech,” The Boston Globe, 5/1/03)

Kerry’s Shifting Stance On Iraq

In 1997, Kerry Warned Conflict Will Only Worsen If We Wait To Hold Saddam Accountable. “In a more practical vein, Mr. President, I submit that the old adage ‘pay now or pay later’ applies perfectly in this situation. If Saddam Hussein is permitted to go about his effort to build weapons of mass destruction and to avoid the accountability of the United Nations, we will surely reap a confrontation of greater consequence in the future. The Security Council and the United States obviously have to think seriously and soberly about the plausible scenarios that could play out if he were permitted to continue his weapons development work after shutting out U.N. inspectors.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 11/9/97, p. S12256)

In February 2002, Kerry Complained “Some In This Country” Not Willing “To Hold Saddam Accountable.” “Kerry noted that Saddam has failed to respond to past U.S. warnings about permitting United Nations arms inspectors to do their job in Iraq. ‘It’s clear that Saddam Hussein continues to be a major threat . . . in part because some in this country were slow-footed and didn’t have the stomach to hold Saddam accountable.’” (Andrew Miga, “Bush Sends Warning To Saddam Hussein,” The Boston Herald, 2/14/02)

In October 2002, Kerry Voted For Iraq War Resolution. (H.J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02, Kerry Voted Yea)

Then In January 2003, Kerry Decried “Rush To War.” “[W]hile American security must never be ceded to any institution or to another institution’s decision, I say to the President, show respect for the process of international diplomacy because it is not only right, it can make America stronger - and show the world some appropriate patience in building a genuine coalition. Mr. President, do not rush to war.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Georgetown University, 1/23/03)

As War Began In March 2003, Kerry Said Saddam Choose “To Make Military Force The Ultimate Weapons Inspections Enforcement Mechanism.” “Senator John F. Kerry … had lambasted Bush’s diplomatic efforts, despite voting last fall in support of a congressional resolution authorizing military action to disarm Iraq of any weapons of mass destruction. ‘It appears that with the deadline for exile come and gone, Saddam Hussein has chosen to make military force the ultimate weapons inspections enforcement mechanism,’ Kerry said.” (Glen Johnson, “Critics Of Bush Voice Support For The Troops,” The Boston Globe, 3/20/03)

But In April 2003, Kerry Claimed His Vote Was To Threaten Force, Not Use It. “I voted to give the President to have a legitimate threat of force for the reasons he gave: to go to the United Nations and form a coalition. This President failed. It was a failure of diplomacy …” (Stephen Seitz, “Kerry: America Needs A ‘Regime Change’ Too,” The [Manchester] Union Leader, 4/3/03)

In October 2003, Kerry Voted Against Funding Our Troops In Iraq. (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay)

In January 2004, Kerry Says He Is An Anti-War Candidate. CHRIS MATTHEWS: “Do you think you belong to that category of candidates who more or less are unhappy with this war, the way it’s been fought, along with General Clark, along with Howard Dean and not necessarily in companionship politically on the issue of the war with people like Lieberman, Edwards and Gephardt? Are you one of the anti-war candidates?” KERRY: “I am -- Yes, in the sense that I don’t believe the president took us to war as he should have, yes, absolutely.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 1/6/04)

And Now Kerry Claims Iraqis Are “Lashing Out” At America. “Because of the way the White House has run the war, we are left with the United States bearing most of the costs and risks associated with every aspect of the Iraqi transition. We have lost lives, time, momentum and credibility. And we are seeing increasing numbers of Iraqis lashing out at the United States to express their frustration over what the Bush administration has and hasn’t done.” (Sen. John Kerry, Op-Ed, “A Strategy For Iraq,” The Washington Post, 4/13/04)

Kerry’s Weak Record On Intelligence

Not Long After First World Trade Center Bombing, Kerry Proposed $7.5 Billion In Across The Board Intelligence Cuts. In 1994, Kerry proposed rescinding $1 billion in FY1994 Intelligence budget and freezing the budget at that level through at least FY1998, which would cut $5 billion from Intelligence funding during that period. Kerry’s proposal was defeated by a vote of 20 to 75, with even Sen. Ted Kennedy voting against the measure. Then in 1995, Kerry proposed a bill to, “[r]educe the Intelligence budget by $300 million in each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000.” This bill had no co-sponsors and never reached the Senate floor for a vote. (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; Sen. Dennis DeConcini [D-AZ], Congressional Record, 2/10/94, p. S1360; S. 1290, Introduced 9/29/95)

In 1995, Kerry Voted To Slash FBI Funding By $80 Million. (H.R. 2076, CQ Vote #480: Adopted 49-41: R 9-40; D 40-1, 9/29/95, Kerry Voted Yea)

12 Days After September 11, Kerry Said Intelligence Is Most Important Weapon In War On Terror. “And the tragedy is, at the moment, that the single most important weapon for the United States of America is intelligence. It’s the single most important weapon in this particular war, unlike other wars where it was overwhelming force or Air Force or something.” (CBS’s “Face The Nation,” 9/23/01)

12 Days After September 11, Kerry Said U.S. Was Weakest In Intelligence And It Would Take Time To Build That Area Up. “And we are weakest, frankly, in that particular area [intelligence]. So it’s going to take us time to be able to build up here to do this properly.” (CBS’s “Face The Nation,” 9/23/01)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.