John Tierney: “I seek to amend the bill by removing funding for procurement of the National Missile Defense and increasing funding for…”

“I seek to amend the bill by removing funding for procurement of the National Missile Defense and increasing funding for the military's TRICARE senior pharmacy program, prescription drugs for senior retirees. The Department indicates the program is seriously underfunded despite Congress' expressed desire to fund it. This is not the time for us to be spending money on actual procurement. Already we have substantial appropriations for research and development of NMD. This amendment would not affect those funds. Research and development would continue. But to start down the path of spending on procurement is premature and inappropriate. Any decision to embark on such a plan should only come after serious, informed national debate about the effect of such a decision on a multiple of important national interests. Foremost should be a determination if we really desire to alter our historic reliance first on the theory of mutually assured destruction now, coupled with serious and somewhat successful efforts at nuclear nonproliferation. Are we fully prepared to face the likely consequences of that decision without first considering its wisdom? Here are some of the other considerations that should be fully deliberated, debated, and determined before we leave the R&D phase and start procurement: Are we overreacting to the threat that has been identified?”