William M. ``Mac'' Thornberry: “It seems to me the studies that have been conducted make it clear that it makes no cost sense to try to extend the life…”

“It seems to me the studies that have been conducted make it clear that it makes no cost sense to try to extend the life of these missiles that have been in place for so long. I think what is really at stake here is whether the three legs of the triad upon which our defense has depended for so many decades are to be renewed, modernized, and remain credible. Each leg of that triad, the submarines, the air leg, and the missiles that we are talking about now, have unique characteristics. It is the three of them working together that has been so successful in making sure that our country has been protected and that no nuclear weapon has been used since the end of World War II. It is essential to modernize the land leg base of our triad to make sure that it stays credible, modern, and safe. That is why this amendment should be rejected.”