FROM THE ARCHIVE

Dicks defense stance brings praises

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2001

Although he has never chaired a Congressional committee in his 24 years in the House, Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) is regarded by colleagues as an effective lawmaker and by the defense industry as a reliable source of support and funds.

But defense lobbyists say he doesn't automatically rally to their causes. He did, however, led the fight to keep funding for the controversial B-2 bomber and has pushed the Bush administration to fund defense programs.

Dicks, who sits on an appropriations committee, has also been a strong voice on the trust fund. At a Congressional hearing this spring, he blasted Department of Interior officials when they told him a $40 million computer system -- now widely acknowledged to be in shambles -- would not be fully operational until 2006.

Get the Story:
For Dicks, Increasing Influence (The Washington Post 9/19)

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