Dianne Feinstein: “I rise today to thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle for clearing an amendment I introduced with my colleague…”

“I rise today to thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle for clearing an amendment I introduced with my colleague from Alaska, Senator Stevens, to prohibit the use of nuclear armed interceptors as part of a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Senators Levin and Warner have shown tremendous leadership by working hard to address this important issue, and I want to personally thank them for their efforts. I want to comment briefly on the details of the amendment because I feel so strongly, as do my colleagues in the Senate, that both Chambers of Congress move to prohibit nuclear armed interceptors. A nuclear armed interceptor is a defensive missile that uses a nuclear, rather than conventional, explosive tip to destroy its target. It is based on the premise that a large blast will overwhelm all of the components of an enemy missile. The Washington Post reported in April of this year that the Pentagon was pursuing plans to resume research and testing of nuclear armed interceptors as part of a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). I think this would be a great mistake and would endanger the health and safety of all Americans.”