On the recordJuly 13, 2017
As my colleagues know, just one successful ballistic missile attack on U.S. territory or forward deployed forces or allies would carry an enormous cost of life and treasure. I am pleased that we are finally making some real progress in this bill at funding missile defense programs that have been underfunded for years. General John Hyten, who is in charge of missile defense, said recently: ``What really worries me the most is I'm worried that our Nation won't be able to go fast enough to keep up with our adversaries anymore.'' He argues that we need to empower our engineers with the authority and responsibility so they can go faster. We have the greatest minds at the Missile Defense Agency. They are motivated people that serve our country every day when they come into work. We just need to let them do their job. But we must not let outdated, duplicative bureaucratic requirements keep us from defending ourselves from ballistic missile threats. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, which would free the Missile Defense Agency to move faster to defend us from future threats. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
