On the recordMay 25, 2011
I oppose this amendment and consider it harmful to our Nation's defense. We already know President Obama is no fan of missile defense based on his budget priorities. He cut this same program, Ground Based Midcourse Defense, by $445 million in fiscal year 2010. His request for 2012 cuts this program by another $185 million. Remember, this program is the only defense we have against an intercontinental ballistic missile fired by a rogue country or a terrorist group. On top of Obama's cuts, this amendment would cut another $100 million. All we have today is a couple of dozen Interceptors on the west coast. We have nothing on the east coast. We should be adding money, not slashing it. The general in charge of the Missile Defense Agency said in April in a hearing before our subcommittee that he wants more money than what the President requested for testing and additional Interceptors. The Secretary of Defense said in January we have underestimated the threat from North Korea from its missile and nuclear programs. The Director of National Intelligence said in February that Iran's missile technology could be used for ICBMs. Now is not the time to slash our only defense for intercontinental threats from countries like North Korea or Iran. The threat is real. The consequences would be devastating. We must reject this reckless amendment. The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from California has 30 seconds remaining.
