Yesterday, the House Armed Services Committee completed its markup of the fiscal year 2007 Defense Authorization bill.  In it were cuts to missile defense programs, both with near- and long-term technologies, including a cut of $184 million from the administration request and fencing of an additional $200 million.  It also killed funds for a third interceptor site in Europe (see full list of changes below).

Philip E. Coyle, former assistant secretary of defense and director of Operational Test & Evaluation at the Pentagon, argued: "Republicans and Democrats agree that it makes no sense to waste money on a missile defense without being sure it works as advertised."

"The committee showed that supporting and protecting our troops is their priority, not an ineffective, scarecrow missile defense," said Coyle, who is now a senior advisor to the World Security Institute's Center for Defense Information.  "Missile defense doesn't work against rocket propelled grenades, car bombs and improvised explosive devices - the threats that are killing and maiming thousands of U.S. soldiers and Marines in Iraq."
 
By blocking funding for programs that could have anti-satellite capabilities and requesting a complete report on the need for and consequences of space-based weapons, the committee reinforced its skepticism about weaponizing space.   

Dr. Laura Grego, staff scientist with the Global Security Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists, commended the committee: "The committee has wisely restricted space-based interceptors and advanced laser technology that could lead to war in space and called for understanding the implications of going forward."

"The United States will be the big loser if we go forward with space weapons," concluded Grego.

Lt. Gen. Robert G. Gard, Jr., (U.S. Army, ret.), a consultant with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, suggested: "It simply makes sense to cut back on spending for the Ground-based Midcourse Missile Defense system when programs to counter more urgent and more likely threats are under-funded."

"Republicans and Democrats are finally exercising their oversight responsibilities by forcing MDA to slow down and shift its efforts away from the more pie-in-the-sky technologies," Gard added.

House Armed Services Committee actions on missile defense and space issues:

• The Missile Defense Agency’s budget request was slashed by $183.5 million.
   
• The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program, whose interceptors are currently being fielded in Alaska and California, has $200 million fenced until the Department of Defense (DOD) certifies that the program has successfully hit a target on two separate occasions.  Such tests are planned in 2006.
   
• The committee also cut all funding - $55.8 million - for a third interceptor site in Europe.
   
• The Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) program was reduced by $65 million and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program was cut by $100 million.  Both programs have long-lead technologies that at best will not be ready for fielding for over a decade.
   
• The High Altitude Airship (HAA) program was reduced by $40.7 million.
   
• Some missile defense programs received increased funding: the GMD program received an extra $20 million for testing and operation resources; the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system received an extra $40 million ($20 million of which is for new interceptors); the Army received an additional $140 million for transitioning its Patriot Advanced Capabilities (PAC)-2 systems to the PAC-3 configuration.
   
• The committee directed that technologies for the Advanced Optics and Laser Technologies project development cannot be used for the development of laser space technologies that could be used to target satellites.
   

• Money cannot be used for a space-based missile defense interceptor until a report detailing the purposes of such a program, its estimated costs, potential vulnerabilities, and international consequences has been submitted.

The HASC report is available here or at : http://www.house.gov/hasc/FY2007NDAASummary.pdf

Contact:
Loren Dealy (HASC) 202-226-6339
Kira Maas (Reyes) 202-225-4831

Strategic Forces Subcommittee Portion of the NDAA FY07 Mark-Up Summary

(This information is subject to change pending final passage of the bill by the full committee)

Ranking member, Silvestre Reyes' (TX), opening statement is attached.

Plutonium Disposition

Cuts $115.3 million from construction of a plutonium disposition facility in Savannah River, SC.  $174.2 million remains.  The bill also requests certification from the Secretary of Defense that the Savannah facility is the most efficient means for managing and disposing of U.S. weapons-grade plutonium.

Fences over $200 million from Russian nonproliferation funds until Russia reaches an agreement with the U.S. on an acceptable means of upholding the 2000 US-Russian Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement.

Adds $50 million for environmental management programs, including $20 million for research and development on tank waste cleanup technologies and $30 million to fund regulatory and clean-up activities in South Carolina.

Representative John Spratt (SC) said, "Our language allows for the Department of Energy to negotiate with the Russians, but ensures that South Carolina will have a way to deal with the plutonium stored at Savannah River, whether the Russians move forward on MOX or not.  This is important for South Carolina's environment, important for national security and non-proliferation, and important for all the workers who will build and operate the MOX plant.

Spratt concluded, "This language is a step in the right direction. It helps guarantee that South Carolina won't be left holding the bag for our country's plutonium indefinitely into the future."

Ballistic Missile Defense

Cuts $43.5 million from the Administration's $10.4 billion funding request for ballistic missile defense (BMD).  Within the BMD accounts, funding is shifted from long-range programs to near term needs, such as buying upgrades for the Patriot missile that can protect our servicemembers and our allies today.

"I am pleased with the committee's decision to redirect missile defense funding from longer range programs - such as the multiple kill vehicle - to near term needs, such as buying upgrades for the Patriot missile that can protect our forces and our allies today," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Silvestre Reyes (TX).  "These immediate needs are crucial for the success and wellbeing of our men and women in uniform."

Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

Cuts $183.5 million from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).  $9.1 billion remains.

Representative Ellen Tauscher (CA) commented, "The proposed $183 million cut to the missile defense program is a much needed, yet modest step in re-directing our resources towards a better tested, more practical, and more efficient method of missile defense.  I support a limited missile defense program, but only when rationally funded in concert with a well thought-out defense strategy that rests on trained and ready conventional armed forces as well as diplomatic efforts."

Patriot Missiles

Adds $140 million for Army BMD to begin upgrading older Patriot missile battalions to the most recent PAC-3 configuration.

"This bill includes funding to upgrade PAC-2 missiles to a PAC-3 configuration, a weapon system that is crucial for supporting our servicemembers overseas," said Subcommittee Ranking Member, Silvestre Reyes (TX).  "These upgrades will ensure that they have the advanced equipment they need to successfully complete their mission."

Multiple Kill Vehicles (MKV) and Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI)

Cuts $65 million for the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) program.  $100 million remains.  Cuts $100 million for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) program and directs MDA to focus the KEI program on the 2008 booster technology demonstration project. Approximately $305 million remains.

Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA) commented, "I'm pleased that the funding for the Multiple Kill Vehicle and Kinetic Energy interceptor programs has been reduced.  Congress and the American people need to have a full and open debate on the subject of space weapons, and programs such as these put technology far ahead of policy."

Advanced Optics and Laser Technology Project

Expresses concern about the potential anti-satellite and advanced weapons capabilities of technology being developed by the Advanced Optics and Laser Technology project.  The committee directs that none of the funds authorized for this program shall be used for development of laser space technologies with anti-satellite weapons purposes.

"This issue of space weaponization is a serious one, so I am pleased an agreement was reached on the Advanced Optics and Laser Technology project to ensure that this research will be tailored to space situational awareness, rather than anti-satellite weapons," Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA) said.

Global Strike

Cuts $47 million in R&D funding for the development of an advanced strike capability using Trident missiles in a conventional capacity based on concerns that the development of a conventional capability on a traditionally nuclear platform has the potential to lead to the misinterpretation of the launch of a nuclear missile.  $30 million remains, and the bill withholds $10 million of that amount until after the Department submits a report on the status of discussions with other nations on this issue.

"I am always pleased when portions of the mark-up convey and advocate for greater levels of cooperation and deterrence in terms of nuclear proliferation," said Representative Ellen Tauscher (CA).  "The committee's decision to not allow the conversion of Trident missiles to conventional weapons shows a desire on the part of the committee to concentrate on not only deterring a nuclear response, but to work on the conventional aspect of our defense policy."