Daniel Akaka: “as chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, I rise in support of the Levin second degree to Senator Warner's amendment…”

“as chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, I rise in support of the Levin second degree to Senator Warner's amendment restoring $814 million either to the President's missile defense request or to combating terrorism. Senator Levin's amendment clarifies what we know to be true, that the need to address the scourge of terrorism is urgent and is the top priority of our Nation. I want to mention that I do have some concerns about Senator Warner's amendment. I am not aware of the committee receiving any information from the administration that the suggested savings from inflation might in fact be realized. I sincerely hope that we are not just talking about ``funny money,'' and that we could be sure that the funds are there before we start talking about how to spend them. The Levin amendment makes clear that, while both missile defense and efforts to defeat terrorism are important, our priorities are obvious. Let me be clear, I do understand the need to defend our country against missile attack. I believe that all of us here in this chamber would do everything in our power to ensure that U.S. citizens are protected against vicious attacks from those who would do us harm, including those who would launch those attacks with missiles. However, I believe that the reductions taken in this bill to the President's fiscal year 03 budget request for the missile defense program are judicious and based on sound reasoning.”