Norman D. Dicks: “I want to say to the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston], that the gentleman from South Carolina and…”

“I want to say to the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Livingston], that the gentleman from South Carolina and myself, the former chairman of the Senate Arms Services Committee, are all people who are committed to deploying a system. We think that a thin system that is treaty-compliant is the right way to go because we think it is attainable. We think it does not start an arms race with the other side, and it will be less expensive. Now, what I said, and I think the gentleman misunderstood me, is that it is crucial. First of all, if we are going to send 500,000 troops to the Gulf again, I want them to go with theater missile defense, PAC-3, THAD, and using Navy ships with the standard missile. I think that is a good approach to defending our troops in the field. To me, that should be the highest priority. Mr. Chairman, when we are sending men and women into combat, they have to have protection from scud missiles and other launchers. That should be first.”