Mike Levin: “Let me just thank the Senator from New Mexico. He has raised a very important issue which was the subject of major…”

“Let me just thank the Senator from New Mexico. He has raised a very important issue which was the subject of major discussion at the Armed Services Committee the other day; that is, the importance that any weapon system, before it is deployed, be shown to be operationally effective. I think his sensitivity to that issue has been longstanding, and I want to thank him for clarifying the Record relative to this bill. So that it is clear to Senator Bingaman and to all of the Members, the word ``effective'' in the bill includes the concept of operational effectiveness. There are other elements of effectiveness which could also be covered, but surely it includes the operational effectiveness concept which the Senator has championed for so long. I thank the Senator.”