MCKEON BELIEVES MILITARY SLIGHTED; LAWMAKER TO FIGHT FOR MORE IN BUDGET.

Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer

President Clinton's plans to boost military spending by $112 billion over six years is $36 billion short and relies too heavily on assumed savings and low inflation, Rep. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon said Tuesday.

In a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee, McKeon criticized the president's plan to boost military spending, saying the Joint Chiefs of Staff had identified $148 billion in unmet military readiness needs.

McKeon also criticized the plan for deriving the rest of the increase from projected assumed savings, including two rounds of base closures, an aide said.

``Congressman McKeon's comment was if the increase is $112 billion, let's make sure it's a real $112 billion and not just smoke and mirrors,'' said McKeon spokesman David Foy.

President Clinton's proposed 2000 defense budget of $261 billion, which the administration describes as a $12 billion boost, has just $4 billion in new spending, Republicans said.

McKeon will be pushing for additional military spending in the 2000 budget. In the current fiscal budget, McKeon was among a group of Republicans who successfully argued for a $9 billion increase.

``The important thing to remember is that the president's budget is just a starting point,'' Foy said.

The president's plan includes seeking base closures in 2001 and 2005. That is an iffy prospect, however.

Republican congressional leaders acknowledge a need for additional base closures, but are distrustful of Clinton because of his support before the 1996 election for bases targeted for closure in Texas and California.

The president's proposed 2000 budget includes 4.4 percent pay raises for military personnel. Republicans want to make the pay raise 4.8 percent.