Armed Services Committee Requires Comprehensive Plan on Administration's Phased Adaptive Approach for Missile Defense

Press Release

The House Armed Services Committee unanimously approved an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill that holds the Administration accountable for deploying a missile defense system in Europe to protect the U.S. homeland.

The amendment, introduced by Strategic Forces Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Turner (R-Ohio), would require the Secretary of Defense to provide a report with detailed information on the Administration's Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) for missile defense in Europe, including basing locations, quantities of assets, program schedules, performance, and cost.

"This is an important change that will allow Congress to monitor the implementation of the Administration's Phased, Adaptive Approach and ensure we have the funding and other resources available to make it work," said Rep. Turner.

"The Administration's current plan to deploy a missile defense system in Europe to protect the U.S. homeland is still under construction. This committee needs to better understand how the Administration intends to proceed with its plan and I commend Rep. Turner for working to ensure we have this critical information," said U.S. Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.), the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Turner's amendment would prohibit the Pentagon from spending five-percent of the funds for the Office of the Secretary of Defense within defense-wide Operations & Maintenance funds until the report is submitted.

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