Fourteenth and Fifteenth Special Presidential Messages for Fiscal Year 1977

The President's 14th special message for fiscal year 1977 transmitted to the Congress pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 proposed two rescissions, $21.09 million concerning the foreign military credit sales program and $75 million concerning the General Services Administration's (GSA's) Federal Buildings Fund. This message also proposed the deferral of $12.465 million in budget authority that had been provided to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military personnel and operation and maintenance activities. The 15th special message proposed two rescissions, one involving DOD procurement funds of $462 million resulting from the President's decision to terminate the B-1 bomber program and a second of $1.4 million for the SRAM-B missile.

The proposed rescission for the Federal Buildings Fund is inconsistent with GSA funding needs for alteration and repair projects. A recent GAO review of GSA management of space in Government-owned buildings concluded that one of the principal impediments to better use of GSA-managed buildings has been the shortage of alteration and repair funds. The review of GSA space management also disclosed examples of vacant or underutilized Government buildings that GSA had not seriously considered as candidates for renovation in order to reduce leased space and new construction requirements. The information provided on the other rescissions and on the deferral is correct, and the actions being proposed have been clearly and accurately stated.