Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the gentleman Mr. Franks' amendment. Mr. Franks serves along with myself as cochairman of the Missile Defense Caucus.

This amendment restores critical funding to our layered missile defense system, which protects the United States and its allies from short and medium-range ballistic missiles. This bill that we have heard talked about cuts funding for missile defense to $719 million below the President's budget request of $9.3 billion, an unacceptable funding level to provide for our national defense.

The Democrats' authorization to the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System would not even cover the expenses incurred by the Missile Defense Agency to conduct what was recently the shootdown of the US-193 satellite, which cost the agency upwards of $100 million. I would add that the very recent successful shootdown of the satellite is evidence of the successes and importance of the missile defense program and the ongoing necessity to make sure these programs are fully funded and in development.

The Democrats have also authorized inadequate funding for the THAAD, or Theater High Altitude Area Defense System. I think it is an embarrassment that out of the $890 million requested for the project by the administration, only $75 million was authorized for THAAD; $75 million out of $890 million requested.

Finally, my friends in the Democrat majority inserted language into the bill that requires the Secretary of Defense to certify that the two-stage intercepter missile proposed for the European site ``has demonstrated through successful, operationally realistic testing, a high priority of operating in an operationally effective manner and the ability to accomplish the mission.''

Unfortunately, the Democrats only provide an additional $25 million for these tests and targets. This not-so-subtle attempt to starve the program puts our country at risk and it is an attempt that I oppose.

Congressman Franks' amendment restores the $719 million to our missile defense program, putting the necessary defense capacities in the hands of our commanders and providing for the continued success of our short and medium-range ballistic missile program.

Mr. Chairman, I believe this is a matter of national security and it is very important, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

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