Ellen Tauscher: “Let's just be clear. There is nothing in the bill that says that MDA cannot put the system on operational alert using…”

“Let's just be clear. There is nothing in the bill that says that MDA cannot put the system on operational alert using RDT&E funds. They are not prohibited from doing it. In fact, they have done it in the past. What section 222 does say that if you are going to operate it, you should use operating and maintenance funds. That's all it says. So we have no objection to the gentleman's amendment, because in fact there is nothing in the bill that prohibits the system from being flicked on, and there is nothing about what we say that is contrary to what the gentleman is asserting. However, we do believe that it is important that when you are operating a system, you should use operation and maintenance funds.”