Brady-Pombo Amendment on Use of American Troops Nearing Final Approval
Conference report on H.R. 1119 sent to Senate; then to president

Congressman Kevin Brady today urged President Bill Clinton to sign Congress’ final version of the 1998 Defense Authorization bill which contains language to prevent the deployment of American troops for environmental activities in other nations. The amendment was attached to the annual authorization bill for the military’s funding and passed the House Tuesday night by a vote of 286-123.

Brady and Congressman Richard Pombo of California introduced their amendment in response to comments made by Tim Wirth, Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs at a June conference, entitled the "Western Hemisphere Defense Environmental Conference, The Road to Military Environmental Cooperation." An Associated Press report about the conference noted, "In at least 32 Latin American and Caribbean nations, members of the U.S. Southern Command will be asked to guard rain forests and endangered species." Undersecretary Wirth addressed the conference June 3rd. He claimed that the use of troops for environmental missions was "a legitimate military issue." Mr. Wirth also suggested that having soldiers and sailors improving the environment would help with their military readiness.

After passage of the conference report, Brady expressed confidence that Congress has sent a clear message about the proper use of the military. "The purpose of our military is to defend American interests, not to act as global environmental warriors, as some have suggested," said Brady. "We owe it to the men and women who stand ready to give their lives for America not give them mixed messages about their mission."

Brady predicted that the Senate will pass the defense authorization this Friday. The legislation will then be sent to President Clinton for his signature.