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7343393
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President's Letter to the Speaker of the House concerning foreign aid funding
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7343393
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document
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President's Letter to the Speaker of the House concerning foreign aid funding
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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7343393
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6
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1976-04-06
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4
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1976
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Digitized from Box 24 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 6, 1976
Dear Mr. Speaker:
In my letter of March 29, 1976 to the House and Senate Conferees,
I stated my strong objections to the Senate action adding nearly
$800 million in program terms to the budget for Foreign Military
Sales credits and Security Supporting Assistance for the Transition
Quarter for Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Syria, since in my view
these funds are not needed to meet the essential needs of the
recipients. This position was only taken after the most careful
review and analysis.
As you know, this Administration is firmly committed to the security
of the State of Israel, and also to providing constructive economic
assistance to Egypt, Jordan and Syria. However, the FY 76 and
FY 77 budget levels were designed to meet these purposes on an
austore basis without any funding in the Transition Quarter.
It is natural that the recipient governments would like to receive
financial support at a higher level than provided in the Administra-
tion's request. I am aware also that it has been argued that the
United States should fund through security assistance any budget
deficit which governments might incur as the result in part of
acquiring military equipment from the United States. However, it
should be obvious that any such proposals are completely infeasible,
since the United States is in no position to control every aspect of
another government's budget spending. Security A sistance is
intended to provide military and economic funding to ease the
pressure on friendly governments in meeting their legitimate
security needs. It never has been nor should be intended to meet
every budgetary deficit or foreign exchange shortfall which another
government may incur and no such commitment has been made.
Specifically in the case of Israel, my FY 76 and FY 77 budget requests
provide sufficient levels of assistance to mect that nation's needs.
Our most careful analysis indicates that the levels provided in the
FY 76 and 77 requests for FMS are adequate to enable Israel to
maintain its security. Our previous estimates of this need have
been carefully rechecked and reaffirmed.
- 2 -
At a time when our own country's budget pressures are very great,
when our nation faces many other urgent and pressing program
needs and our own deficits for FY '76 and the Transition Quarter
are already too large, I cannot justify more funds than have been
included in my budget request.
Therefore, if I am presented with a final appropriation bill that
includes additional funds for the Transition Quarter, I will be
forced to exercise my veto -- an alternative which could seriously
disrupt our efforts to assist our friends and allies in maintaining
their security and development growth efforts. I naturally hope
that the House will not make necessary such a course of action,
but will instead reach the only responsible conclusion.
Sincerely,
Herald R, 3nd
The Honorable
The Speaker
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515