Wilson Joins Bipartisan Colleagues to Urge Full Funding in Defense Authorization and Appropriations Bills of the President’s Request for a $10 Billion

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-SC, today participated in a news conference on Capitol Hill with his colleagues, Rep. Curt Weldon, R-PA, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-VA, Rep. Saxby Chambliss, R-GA, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-MD, Rep. Randy Forbes, R-VA, Rep. Gene Taylor, D-MS, Rep. Bud Cramer, D- AL, and Rep. Robert Simmons, R-CT. The bipartisan group called for full funding in both the Defense Authorization and Appropriations bills of President Bush's request for a $10 billion contingency fund in the FY 2003 budget for efforts in support of the war on terrorism.Rep. Wilson said, "We're here as a bipartisan group with one message. There's simply no way to ensure that the men and women in our military will be prepared and equipped to successfully advance our war on terrorism in the next year without including at least $10 billion for a contingency fund as the President has requested. It's not just a matter of being prepared for the unknown. It's absolutely critical to make up known shortfalls in key defense areas."Key Defense Areas with Identified Budget Shortfalls include:· Ship Building· Aircraft Purchase· Space Based Capabilities· Anti-Terrorism and Chemical/Biological Defense· Intelligence· Ammunitions/Munitions· UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)###