Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, this amendment strikes section 8132, which prohibits the use of funds to reduce or decommission Minuteman III ICBM silos or to put these silos into a nondeployed status other than warm status. A warm silo is one that can be made fully operational with the reintroduction of a missile. Let me remind those who are listening tonight that anybody who says, ``Thank God we have never had to use our ICBMs,'' I would argue they are used every day to ensure that we maintain peace and stability in the world. This section is modeled after language that was included in the House-passed NDAA to maximize the readiness of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad. I rise in opposition to this amendment. The language in this section is essentially the same as the language that was included in the House- passed National Defense Authorization Act. This section says that, if the Department of Defense takes a silo down to nondeployed status, it must keep it warm. That means it must be kept in a state that would allow it to become fully operational if a missile is reintroduced. This section would ensure that we maximize the readiness of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad and inhibit the administration from making unilateral cuts to our strategic deterrent. I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler).…”