Thomas Daschle: “I believe that the vote on this amendment may be one of the most critical votes that we cast this year. There are many…”

“I believe that the vote on this amendment may be one of the most critical votes that we cast this year. There are many provisions in this bill that I, along with many of the people on this side of the aisle--and I suspect beyond the beltway--strongly oppose. However, perhaps the most objectionable provisions in this bill--and potentially the most damaging to the long-term security interests of the United States--are those calling for the United States to deploy multiple-site national missile defenses by the year 2003. As Senator Levin and others have already pointed out, committing this country to deploying a multisite national missile defense system at this time would have very damaging consequences for our national security. The Levin amendment would retain the strategic policies that have kept this country safe now for a half century. I strongly support the Levin amendment for several reasons. First, I am concerned that any effort by the United States to deploy theater missile defenses could jeopardize several important treaties negotiated under both the Clinton and Bush administrations.”