Mike Levin: “I totally agree with the Senator relative to the unilateral decision made by the President today to withdraw from the…”

“I totally agree with the Senator relative to the unilateral decision made by the President today to withdraw from the ABM Treaty. I think it is a serious mistake. Ensuring the security and safety of the American people, especially from weapons of mass destruction, must remain our first defense priority. If I believed that withdrawing unilaterally from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty would enhance our national security, I would support doing so. However, the President's announcement that the United States will unilaterally withdraw from the ABM Treaty is a serious mistake for our national security. It is not necessary and it is not wise. Unilateral withdrawal is not necessary because the ABM Treaty is not a significant constraint on testing at this time. Indeed, until a few months ago, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, BMDO, was proceeding with research, development and testing that was entirely consistent with the treaty.”