Joe Pitts: “I rise today to speak to American families. Tonight, as you sleep, we cannot adequately protect you and your children…”

“I rise today to speak to American families. Tonight, as you sleep, we cannot adequately protect you and your children from a ballistic missile attack from rogue nations, let alone Russia or China. We simply must protect American families. It is our duty--that is why we are here today. Deploying a national missile defense to protect American families simply makes sense. The Administration's current arms control strategy has failed miserably, while rogue nations progress in developing long-ranges missiles capable of carrying nuclear, chemical, or biological warheads. In addition to the established nuclear powers of China and Russia, the Administration has tried, and failed, to prevent Russia from aiding Iran's progress in missile technology and guidance systems. The Administration has failed, too, in Iraq and North Korea. India and Pakistan have established themselves as members of the nuclear club, and Cuba is now being helped by Russia with its own reactor. According to the Rumsfeld Commission, rogue nations like North Korea and Iran will be able to inflict major destruction on the U.S. within about five years of a decision to acquire such a capability. Further, rogues can import technology from Russia and China and greatly decrease acquisition times and increase secrecy. Today, rogue nations don't need to develop weapons of mass destruction, they merely need to purchase it.”