Zoe Lofgren: “I had urged that this Department of Defense spending bill be brought up without including the controversial missile…”

“I had urged that this Department of Defense spending bill be brought up without including the controversial missile defense program. It was my belief that we, as a Congress, would be best served by taking up a bill that most of us could vote for, which could then be followed with the controversial missile defense bill about which so many of us disagree. Last week, on the floor, I had occasion to discuss the missile defense plan with a Congressman from across the aisle. There has been a lot of that lately, discussions among Republicans and Democrats that are respectful. He said he would vote for 'missile defense' if it would save one American city from nuclear annihilation. Well, so would I. But this missile defense program won't do that. It won't make us safer. The technology doesn't work. Further, in order to proceed, we also have to abrogate treaties just at the time when we need international allies in the war against terrorism. As the September 11 attacks on our country showed us so terribly, we need more and better defenses. Some of those defenses need to be in the Department of Defense and in the Department of Justice, and I favor increased funding to enhance those capabilities. Enhancement of our intelligence capabilities is also called for along with better coordination and communication between intelligence and law enforcement. Improved airport and airline safety is also a necessity.”