On the recordDecember 17, 2010
I rise to discuss missile defense and the New START treaty. Missile defense is one of the persistent areas of concern of the treaty raised by some of my colleagues. However, the reasonable questions that have been raised on the subject can be answered in a very straightforward manner. The treatment of missile defense in the treaty is no cause to oppose it--quite the opposite. It should garner support for the treaty. Most of those who have raised concerns understand that longstanding Russian anxiety about our missile defense is misplaced. The purpose of our missile defense is not to undermine Russia's deterrent; it is to protect us from attack from the likes of Iran or North Korea. Nothing in the treaty bars the development and deployment of missile defense from countering those very real threats from the likes of Iran and North Korea, nor does the treaty give the Russians any say over missile defense or any kind of veto over it.
