donyoung.house.gov

Young
Contact: Amy Inaba


Congressman Don Young Supports H. R. 4, Deployment of a National Missile Defense

Washington, D.C., Feb 17 -

With a very real missile threat facing our country, we must make the commitment to deploy a national missile defense

Alaska Congressman Don Young supported re-introduction of H.R. 4 the Weldon-Spratt national missile defense bill that makes it the policy of the United States to deploy a national missile defense. The legislation was sponsored by Representatives Weldon (R-PA) and Spratt (D-SC).

“The commitment to deploy is critical if the United States is to move beyond the question of deployment and allow the nation to focus on developing the very best technology to face the future threat. We need to send a message to those countries like Iran, Iraq and North Korea that we are serious about defending all individuals, families and states against a threat from ballistic missile strike,” said Alaska Congressman Don Young.

The Clinton Administration’s budget proposes spending $836 million on national missile defense next year, less than one percent of their total military modernization program and less than one-third of one percent of the total budget.

“Recently, CIA Director Tenet testified to the fact that Russia has aided Iran in the production of longer-range missiles which have the capability to carry weapons of mass destruction. The fact is that every day the world is becoming much more dangerous and we must move forward with deploying a national missile defense sooner rather than latter. With the lives of millions of Americans at risk, we just cannot take a chance,” said Rep. Don Young.

Currently, the United States has 56 attack submarines, 2290 tactical fighter aircraft, 12 aircraft carriers, and 190 bombers. However, there is no protection against a missile attack on U.S. soil.