[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 38 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H1721-H1726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THEATER MISSILE DEFENSE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1998

  Mr. SPENCE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2786) to authorize additional appropriations for the 
Department of Defense for ballistic missile defenses and other measures 
to counter the emerging threat posed to the United States and its 
allies in the Middle East and Persian Gulf region by the development 
and deployment of ballistic missiles by Iran, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2786

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Theater Missile Defense 
     Improvement Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Development of medium-range ballistic missiles by 
     potential adversaries, such as Iran, has proceeded much more 
     rapidly than previously anticipated by the United States 
     Government.
       (2) Existence of such missiles in potentially hostile 
     nations constitutes a serious threat to United States forces, 
     allies, and friends in the Middle East and Persian Gulf 
     region and cannot be adequately countered by currently 
     deployed ballistic missile defense systems.
       (3) It is a matter of high national interest to quickly 
     reduce the vulnerability of United States forces, allies, and 
     friends to these threats.
       (4) Meaningful and cost effective steps to reduce these 
     vulnerabilities are available and should be pursued 
     expeditiously.

     SEC. 3. ACCELERATION OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROGRAMS TO 
                   COUNTER ENHANCED BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT.

       Funds are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the 
     Department of Defense for fiscal year 1998 for Defense-wide 
     research, development, test, and evaluation in the amount of 
     $147,000,000, to be available as follows:
       (1) Joint composite tracking network.--$35,000,000 to be 
     available for the Joint Composite Tracking Network program.
       (2) Patriot remote launch capability.--$15,000,000 to be 
     available to accelerate development of the remote launch 
     capability for the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) 
     missile defense system.
       (3) PAC-3 and navy area defense tests.--$40,000,000 to be 
     available to test the capabilities of the Patriot Advanced 
     Capability (PAC-3) missile defense system, and to test the 
     capabilities of the Navy Area Defense System, against 
     missiles with the range of the Iranian ballistic missiles 
     under development.
       (4) Early warning enhancement.--$6,000,000 to be available 
     for improved integration of the various elements of the 
     SHIELD system.
       (5) PAC-3 production rate enhancements.--$41,000,000 to be 
     available for production rate enhancements for the Patriot 
     Advanced Capability (PAC-3) missile defense system.
       (6) Israeli arrow missile defense system.--$10,000,000 to 
     be available to improve interoperability of the Israeli Arrow 
     tactical ballistic missile defense system with United States 
     theater missile defense systems.

     SEC. 4. IDENTIFICATION OF OTHER POSSIBLE ACTIONS.

       (a) Identification.--The Secretary of Defense shall 
     identify actions in addition to those authorized by section 3 
     that could be taken by the Department of Defense to counter 
     the threats posed to the United States and its national 
     security interests by the development or acquisition of 
     medium-range ballistic missiles by Iran and other nations.
       (b) Specific Actions To Be Taken.--The Secretary 
     specifically shall explore--
       (1) additional cooperative measures between the Department 
     of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Israel to further 
     enhance Israel's ability to defend itself against the threat 
     posed by ballistic missiles deployed by Iran and other 
     nations; and
       (2) actions within the existing Navy Theater Wide Missile 
     Defense System program that could provide additional 
     capabilities useful to addressing the threat posed by medium-
     range ballistic missiles within one to two years.
       (c) Intergovernmental Coordination.--The Secretary shall 
     undertake appropriate intergovernmental and interagency 
     coordination that would be necessary to the conduct of any of 
     the actions identified pursuant to subsection (a).

     SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

       Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a 
     report providing--
       (1) a description of the Secretary's plans for use of funds 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorizations of appropriations 
     in this Act; and
       (2) a description of possible additional actions identified 
     by the Secretary pursuant to section 4(a) and the steps taken 
     or planned (as of the time of the report) to carry out 
     section 4(c).

     SEC. 6. OFFSETTING REDUCTIONS IN AUTHORIZATIONS.

       The total amount authorized in section 201 of the National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 
     105-85) to be appropriated for fiscal year 1998 for research, 
     development, test, and evaluation for the Department of 
     Defense is hereby reduced by $147,000,000, of which--
       (1) $126,000,000 is to be derived from savings from the use 
     of advisory and assistance services by the Department of 
     Defense in accordance with section 8041 of the Department of 
     Defense Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-56; 111 
     Stat. 1230); and
       (2) $21,000,000 is to be derived from savings from the use 
     by the Department of Defense of defense federally funded 
     research and development centers in accordance with section 
     8035 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1998 
     (Public Law 105-56; 111 Stat. 1227).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Skelton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence).
  (Mr. SPENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)


                             General Leave

  Mr. SPENCE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 2786.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from South Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SPENCE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 2786, the Theater Missile Defense Improvement Act 
of 1998, is intended to address the accelerated threat posed by recent 
theater ballistic missile development around the world. North Korea has 
deployed the No Dong-1 missile. Iran's development of the Shahab-3 
missile has proceeded rapidly and could be flight tested within the 
next year and will have sufficient range to strike Turkey, Saudi Arabia 
and Israel.
  The speed of these developments was unanticipated by the intelligence 
community and they warrant an immediate response. Our currently 
deployed missile defense systems were designed against older and slower 
threats and have only limited capabilities against this new generation 
of more lethal missiles. The steps taken in this bill will provide 
additional defensive capabilities for our troops and their dependents

[[Page H1722]]

more quickly than is currently being planned.
  The measures in this bill meet three important criteria. First, all 
are executable in the current fiscal year. It is therefore important 
for us to provide the funding and the authority to proceed in a timely 
manner. Second, all measures in this bill are consistent with planned 
missile defense systems and architectures. Third, this legislation is 
entirely consistent with current international agreements.
  The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), who has spearheaded 
this effort with both patience and persistence, has been quite, quite 
frankly, ahead of both the Intelligence Community and the Department of 
Defense when it comes to the seriousness of this threat and the need 
for a rapid response.
  Likewise, the efforts of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett) 
and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) as cosponsors have 
strengthened this legislation and helped make it a strong bipartisan 
response to a serious threat.
  The bill was approved unanimous by the Committee on National Security 
on a vote of 45 to 0. I commend all three of the bills' sponsors for 
their diligence. The Department of Defense believes that the bill's 
measures are important and constructive steps in any effort designed to 
address this rapidly evolving threat.
  Madam Speaker, I once again commend the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
(Mr. Weldon), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett) and the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for their leadership and 
their effort. I express my strong support for this measure and urge my 
colleagues' support as well.
  Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) be allowed to control the remainder of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from South Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, we are here today to approve H.R. 2786, the Theater 
Missile Defense Improvement Act of 1998 under the suspension of the 
rules of this House.
  This bill addresses the earlier than expected development of theater 
or tactical ballistic threats to our men and women in uniform around 
the world, threats that I believe are real and, given the limitations 
of currently deployed theater missile defense systems, demand a 
priority response.
  H.R. 2786 is a bill that responds to the recent threat developments 
quickly, crisply and affordably. Moreover, it was approved unanimously 
by the committee.
  In terms of process, I cannot be more pleased. H.R. 2786 is the 
result of an open, deliberative and nonpartisan effort by our 
committee. I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Chairman 
Spence) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Research and Development, for their openness and 
willingness to work on this issue.
  In addition, I believe we owe a debt of gratitude to the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Pickett) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), whose 
vision brought us this bill today.
  I also want to recognize the hard work of their staffs and the 
committee staff in translating that vision into legislation that we can 
all vote for today. In the strongest possible terms, Madam Speaker, I 
urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Pickett), the distinguished ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Research and Development, and ask that he be allowed to 
control the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.
  (Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to 
thank the distinguished chairman of the full committee, the gentleman 
from South Carolina (Mr. Spence), and the ranking member, the gentleman 
from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), and the ranking member of my subcommittee, 
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett) and the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Spratt), for their tireless efforts in putting forth this 
compromise legislation today.
  Madam Speaker, the largest loss of life that we have had in our 
military troops from one single incident in this decade was 7 years ago 
when 28 of our young soldiers were killed by a low complexity Scud 
missile entering into a barracks in Dhahran. We vowed as a Nation not 
to let that happen again, and we have been aggressively pursuing 
various theater missile defense systems to protect our troops and our 
allies from shorter range missiles that could not hit the United 
States.
  Unfortunately, our schedule for deploying those theater missile 
defense systems was not able to meet the threats as they are in fact 
emerging. We saw several years ago North Korea begin deploying a No 
Dung missile that has a range of in the range of about 1,000 
kilometers, and this past summer we saw, with the help of both Russia 
and China, Iran get the capability to deploy two different types of 
missiles that will have a range between 600 and 1,200 kilometers.
  Looking at the chart, Madam Speaker, we can see that this missile 
that Iran will be able to deploy within the period of 12 to 24 months 
has the capacity to hit our allies, Israel, Saudi Arabia and other 
countries in the area, as well as our troops stationed in the theater 
around Iran.
  This is unacceptable to us, Madam Speaker, and so back in the fall of 
last year we got together and put together a bipartisan effort to 
provide short-term enhancements to improve our capability to defeat the 
missiles that Iran may in fact deploy, and that we know North Korea is 
already deploying.
  These enhancements are basically contained in this bill. They involve 
providing additional footprints to existing systems with enhanced radar 
and providing interoperability between a number of different systems 
which gives us a better capability to more quickly identify a target 
and take that target out. So by putting forth the $147 million dollars 
in this legislation, we are going to allow our missile defense programs 
that are currently in place to come together in a unique way, to give 
us enhanced interoperability, to give us a longer footprint in terms of 
taking out systems and missiles that may in fact threaten our troops 
and our allies, and to also begin to cooperate with other nations.
  In fact, in this legislation, we include money for interoperability 
with Israel, so that Israel, as it develops its Arrow program, will in 
fact be able to have that system interoperate with our PAC-3 program 
and eventually with our Navy and other Army programs.
  So what we are talking about today, Madam Speaker, is a new 
opportunity to protect our troops in the shortest possible time using 
existing systems by enhancing them, not with new dollars, but with 
dollars that are already available within the budget agreement.
  Madam Speaker, the other body has in fact passed in its supplemental 
bill a $151 million allocation that in fact is designed to fund almost 
all of our priorities in this legislation. I have received a commitment 
from the gentleman from Louisiana (Chairman Livingston). In fact, we 
will do a colloquy on the floor in the supplemental that he will work 
in the conference to make sure that funding is made available to fund 
the authorization that we provide today in this legislation.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, I want to add one other dimension to this 
legislation. We are dedicating this legislation today to the memory of 
those 28 young soldiers, many of them from Pennsylvania, who were 
killed by that Scud missile attack 7 years ago. We do not want their 
names to be left unnoticed in terms of protecting our other troops, and 
so I will include for the record the names and classifications and 
titles and cities of each of those 28 brave Americans who made the 
ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 7 
years ago, to that Scud missile.

[[Page H1723]]

  This legislation, Madam Speaker, in honor of those 28 brave 
Americans, will allow us to ensure that no other Americans will lose 
their lives in a similar situation.
  Madam Speaker, the measure before the House today, H.R. 2786, is the 
result of a bipartisan effort to identify the most effective actions 
that could be taken to enhance our defenses against a greatly 
accelerated missile threat to our troops and allies around the globe.
  Late last summer we learned that Iran, assisted by Russian technology 
transfers, could deploy a missile capable of striking U.S. forces and 
our allies in the Middle East within a year to eighteen months. 
Recognizing that threat--which the intelligence community had 
previously predicted to be several years away--and the lack of any U.S. 
system fully capable of defending against it, I asked the ballistic 
missile defense organization to recommend steps that could be taken to 
enhance our defensive capabilities as soon as possible. Based on the 
initial feedback I received, I introduced H.R. 2786, the Iranian 
Missile Protection Act.
  That bill gained strong, bipartisan support, with one hundred and ten 
cosponsors. Although Congress adjourned before acting on the bill, the 
case for timely TMD enhancements is stronger than ever. In the six 
months since the bill was introduced, Iran successfully tested, the 
engines of its medium-range missile, the Shahab-3. Despite Russia's 
recent agreement with the U.S. to limit future missile technology 
transfers, reports indicate that controlling such transactions may 
still be a problem. Meanwhile, North Korea continues aggressive 
development of its No-Dong missile, and Saddam Hussein remains intent 
on intimidating the U.S. with all options at his disposal.
  Unfortunately, seven years after twenty-eight American soldiers 
perished in the Iraqi Scud attack on Dharan, we have no missile defense 
system in place or planned for deployment within the next year fully 
capable of defending against the increased Iranian missile threat--or 
against one which could emerge sooner than we expect from North Korea. 
At this point, we won't be able to get our longer range TMD systems 
deployed in time to meet the accelerated Iranian threat. But there are 
things we can do to make systems that will be fielded more effective 
against that threat.
  Initially, there was some disagreement between Congress and the 
administration on how to proceed with theater missile defense 
enhancements. But there was no argument that we would soon need better 
capabilities to respond to the emerging threats. That is why committee 
Republicans and Democrats approached the administration again 
requesting a refined set of recommendations for near-term TMD 
enhancements.
  The legislation before the House today, renamed ``the Theater Missile 
Defense Improvement Act'' in committee, is the product of that 
bipartisan initiative. It reflects the advice of the services, the 
Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization (JTAMDO), the 
commanders in chief of our military theaters of operation, and the 
ballistic missile defense organization. It reflects the 
administration's conclusion that there are concrete steps that we can 
and should take to enhance TMD capabilities in the near term, and its 
recommendation of several high payoff options that can be executed in 
fiscal year '98. Based on this input, we narrowed the scope of the bill 
to actions executable in 1998. As a result, the cost of the bill has 
been cut by more than half--from $331 million to $147 million. It 
includes:
  (1) ($35m) Joint composite tracking network development--ensure 
connectivity of ground-based radar, Pac-3 and Navy cooperative 
engagement capability.
  (2) ($15m) Pac-3 remote launch capability development--accelerates 
doubling of Pac-3 footprint from 2000 to 1999.
  (3) ($40m) Pac-3 and Navy area defense systems testing--provides for 
one test on each system to determine capabilities against Iranian 
threat.
  (4) ($41m) Pac-3 production enhancement--funds tooling and equipment 
to double production in 2001-2.
  (5) ($10m) Arrow interoperability testing--tests with U.S. TMD 
systems.
  (6) ($6m) Early warning enhancement--links sensors, communications 
and command and control to provide improved early warning.
  The ballistic missile defense organization believes these are the 
most valuable steps we can take in the near term to enhance TMD 
capabilities against emerging threats. This package is supported by the 
administration and was reported out of committee 45-0. Our commanders 
in the field want this protection, and our allies such as Israel are 
calling for added enhancements in light of the imminent Iranian threat. 
The House has already passed legislation calling for sanctions against 
Russian entities that aided Iran in its missile development. Now it 
must pass this bill to provide the best protection possible for our 
troops and allies. Passage of this measure will do just that, allowing 
our existing missile defense systems to ``be all they can be'' against 
the near-term missile threats. In honor of those who lost their lives 
in the Scud attack on Dharan:
  Specialist Stephen Atherton--Dayton, PA.
  Specialist Stanley Bartusiak--Romulus, MI.
  Specialist John Boliver--Monogahela, PA.
  Sergeant Joseph Bongiomi--Hickory, PA.
  Sergeant John Boxler--Johnstown, PA.
  Specialist Beverly Clark--Armagh, PA.
  Sergeant Alan Craver--Penn Hills, PA.
  Specialist Rolando A. Deigneau--Unknown address.
  Specialist Steven Famen--Salisbury, Missouri.
  Specialist Duane Hollen--Bellwood, PA.
  Specialist Glen Jones--Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
  Specialist Frank Keough--Rochester Mills, PA.
  Specialist Anthony Madison--Monessen, PA.
  Specialist Steven Mason--Paragould, Arkansas.
  Specialist Christine Mayes--Rochester Mills, PA.
  Specialist Michael Mills--Panora, Iowa.
  Specialist Adrienne Mitchell--Moreno Valley, CA.
  Specialist Ronald Rennison--Dubuque, IA.
  Private First Class Timothy Shaw--Alexandria, VA.
  Sergeant Stephen Siko--Latrobe, PA.
  Specialist Brian Simpson--Indianapolis, IN.
  Specialist Thomas Stone--Falconer, NY.
  Specialist James Tatum--Athens, TN.
  Private First Class Robert Wade--Savannah, GA.
  Sergeant Frank Walls--Hawthorne, PA.
  Corporal Jonathan Williams--Portsmouth, VA.
  Specialist Richard Wolverton--?, PA.
  Specialist James Worthy--Albany, GA.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for H.R. 2786 and join me in 
dedicating passage of this bill to their memory.
  Mr. PICKETT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2786, the Theater 
Ballistic Missile Defense Improvement Act of 1998. I want to thank our 
committee chairman and ranking member, and also our subcommittee 
chairman, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), for the fine 
work they have done in bringing this bill to this point.
  The Theater Missile Defense Improvement Act is a quick, direct and 
bipartisan response to the earlier than expected development of theater 
ballistic missile threats to our troops by Iran and North Korea. It 
would authorize $147 million to increase the defended footprints of our 
current theater missile ballistic defense system by enhancing early 
warning, increasing connectivity among systems and providing for an 
increased deployment rate for the Patriot PAC-3 TMD system.
  Supported by the Department of Defense, the bill is fully consistent 
with current and planned United States TMD programs and can be carried 
out by the Pentagon almost immediately. Further, it does not require 
future funding that DOD is not in a position to request, and it is 
within the scope of existing international agreements.
  Because it responds to actual threat developments that would put our 
deployed troops at risk, I believe it is our duty to pass this bill 
today. Therefore, and in the strongest possible terms, I urge my 
colleagues to support our men and women in uniform and vote for H.R. 
2786, the Theater Missile Defense Improvement Act of 1998.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Livingston), the distinguished chairman 
of the Committee on Appropriations, a Member who has been a tireless 
advocate for missile defense for this country, and we welcome his 
participation today.
  (Mr. LIVINGSTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. LIVINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2786, the Theater 
Missile Improvement Act, because it is a good bill. It is a good 
initiative.
  Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to thank my friend for his time, 
but also his dedication to our Nation's defense and to this particular 
subject of missile defense. This issue has gone too far unattended.

[[Page H1724]]

  Many of us in Congress have been convinced for a very long time that 
we need to protect against the possible threat of incoming missiles and 
that we need to protect our troops and our cities but the fact is, 
while most American people think we can defend against such missiles, 
in truth we cannot defend against the first missile.

                              {time}  1815

  We do not have the first defense system deployed.
  So while I might disagree in some of the assessments of priorities in 
this bill, I rise in support of it for two critical reasons: North 
Korea and Iran.
  North Korea has already deployed the No Dong-1 missile, which has a 
range of 1,000 kilometers, a sufficient range to threaten Japan; and it 
is developing the Taepo Dong-1, expected to have a range in excess of 
1,500 kilometers, which would have the capacity to threaten Alaska and 
Hawaii.
  According to our own director of Central Intelligence, Iran is very 
close to deploying the medium range Shahab-3 Missile. This missile will 
have the capability of striking areas in the Middle East such as 
Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
  Secondly, I think it is absolutely imperative that we begin to 
actually deploy systems; not just study them, or research them forever, 
as this administration continues to propose, but to deploy them. We 
need systems in place to defend against incoming missiles.
  I believe this act will further our ability to do exactly that. I 
urge passage of H.R. 2786.
  Mr. PICKETT. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Spratt).
  (Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SPRATT. Madam Speaker, the bill before us is carefully crafted. 
It was worked out in a completely bipartisan spirit by the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Pickett), and myself and, truth be told, by our staff, in close 
consultation with the ballistic missile defense office, BMDO.
  Over a period of weeks, we went through an exacting process to winnow 
down the increases to BMDO programs that can be used to deal with this 
emerging intermediate-range missile threat. Our process identified 
those programs with the most potential in the short term to enhance 
missile defense capability which can be executed this year, fiscal year 
1998.
  Wherever possible, we tried to speed up program improvements that had 
already been planned or programmed by BMDO and link up or improve 
interoperability among existing systems. As a result, we have a bill 
which is focused on the emerging threat, consistent with the progress 
that the ballistic missile defense organization is making, and 
affordable.
  Each item in this bill has been scrubbed by the Defense Secretary, 
Deputy Secretary of Defense John Hamre, and stamped with his approval 
as a sensible use of the funds. The authorizations are fully offset 
within the Department of Defense, and we have sought to work with the 
Committee on Appropriations to find outlay offsets, in order to 
appropriate these dollars this year.
  In addition to increasing our BMDO capabilities in the short term, 
this bill will enhance the long-term performance of our systems as 
well. The Joint Composite Tracking Network, funded by this bill at $35 
million, will network the sensing, tracking, command and control 
capabilities of PAC-3, THAAD, Navy Area Defense system and, eventually, 
the Israel Arrow and the Navy's Upper Tier systems, so missiles can be 
detected as soon as possible after launch and defenses can be cued up 
as soon as possible. The total flight time for these missiles is 
measured in seconds, and every second we gain in locating them is a 
gain towards taking them out.
  This network is probably the single greatest step we can take in the 
short term to enhance our existing capabilities. It is also the logical 
next step to a layered defense or a family of systems architecture, 
which BMDO is working on.
  This bill will lower the operational risks of the PAC-3 and Navy Area 
Defense Systems also by funding more testing. The bill allocates $20 
million each for testing of these systems against longer or 
intermediate range threat. Although this testing is primarily designed 
to probe and stretch the limits of these systems, we will gain more 
knowledge and we hope more confidence in their general performance by 
more testing. And this goes to a recommendation pointedly made by 
General Larry Welsh in a recently completed review of our theater 
ballistic missile systems.
  This bill also contains $41 million for production enhancements to 
the PAC-3 system, and that will allow for increased production of PAC-3 
missiles and a faster deployment of this system, which has some 
potential for dealing with this threat into the field.
  That is why I say this bill is a measured response to emerging 
threats. It is a sensible piece of legislation. I urge every Member of 
the House to support it.
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett).
  (Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I have sat in hearing after 
hearing where our intelligence community has told us that it would take 
rogue nations using indigenous capabilities 10 to 15 years to develop 
missile technologies that would threaten us or our allies. I never 
quite understood this. If I needed a moped, I am not sure that I would 
build a factory to build a moped. I think that I would go buy one from 
people who build them, which is precisely what Iran has done.
  A few months ago, we were informed by our intelligence community that 
Iran has now acquired technologies from Russia which will permit them, 
years and years ahead of any projected schedule, to launch missiles 
with 600 and 1,200 kilometer ranges that threaten our allies.
  This bill is a very measured response to this. It is not forging new 
frontiers. What we are doing in this bill is accelerating programs 
which are already in existence, where additional funds could move them 
forward so that we could meet the emerging threats.
  I want to compliment those on both sides of the aisle that worked to 
craft this bill. My only regret is that it could not have come to us 
several years ago, because we needed it then. We need it far worse now. 
Please support this very good legislation.
  Mr. PICKETT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Harman).
  Ms. HARMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Madam Speaker, this bill is a very good example of bipartisanship 
producing good policy. I am proud to be an original cosponsor.
  I commend my friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), 
for his leadership and his bipartisanship. Like him, I believe the 
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver 
them is the key national security threat in the post-Cold War world.
  In particular, many of us have been concerned about the transfer of 
ballistic missile capabilities from Russia to Iran. This is profoundly 
destabilizing to the region, and it presents a direct threat to U.S. 
forces in the region and to U.S. allies. To properly stem this threat, 
we need a two-pronged approach, prevention and defense.
  Last fall, Senator Kyl and I introduced a concurrent resolution which 
passed both Chambers overwhelmingly, urging the President to impose 
sanctions on the Russian entities that have been providing technical 
assistance and technology to Iran's programs.
  The Harman-Kyl resolution addressed the preventive aspect of a 
nonproliferation strategy. Sanctions make it unprofitable for anyone to 
transfer sensitive weapons technology to Iran, but stopping the flow is 
only part of the answer. We also need to defend against the capability 
that has already slipped through.
  This bill is an important step in that process. It accelerates the 
development of important capability that can improve the region's 
missile defense in the short term. Assembled in cooperation with the 
Defense Department, these measures are designed to put in place the 
best defense possible by the time Iran's medium-range missile 
capability is fully realized.

[[Page H1725]]

  Let me underscore just one measure that is in this bill and was 
mentioned by its sponsor, that is funding for interoperability of 
Israel's cost-share Arrow system, our best bet short term to protect 
our only democratic ally in the region.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support this bill and urge our colleagues, 
all of them, on a bipartisan basis, to support it, too.
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the distinguished chairman of 
the Committee on International Relations.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2786, the 
Theater Missile Defense Improvement Act of 1998; and I commend the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Chairman Spence), the author of this 
measure, and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) for their 
extensive work on this important bill.
  One of our Nation's most important national security and 
nonproliferation objectives is to reduce the vulnerability of our own 
forces, allies and friends in the Middle East from the threat of 
ballistic missiles by Iran and other potential adversaries.
  As my colleagues well know, most critical in the short term is the 
threat posed by Iran's acquisition of ballistic missiles with a range 
of up to 1,300 kilometers or more. I fully support providing additional 
resources for those programs which can counter that kind of threat, 
which is the primary purpose of this bill.
  I want to focus our colleagues' attention on the language contained 
in section 4 of the bill, which directs the Secretary of Defense to 
explore additional cooperative measures between our Defense Department 
and the Ministry of Defense in Israel to further enhance Israel's 
ability to defend itself against the threat posed by ballistic missiles 
deployed by Iran and other nations.
  Just as important, perhaps even more important, as increasing funding 
for programs to counter the threat posed by Iran's missile programs is 
the necessity to halt assistance to the Iranian program in the first 
place. It is obvious that Russia has already provided Iran with 
critical know-how and technological support which has resulted in the 
Iranians achieving a significant leap in their missile programs.
  An incremental approach to this issue relies on friendly persuasion. 
It is not achieving any demonstrable results in our negotiations with 
the Russians. Dialogue cannot substitute for more forceful and 
immediate action, including the imposition of sanctions on those 
entities engaging in missile cooperation with Iran. That is why we urge 
the Senate to take action on H.R. 2709, the Iran missile Proliferation 
Sanctions Act of 1997, which was passed by the House last November.
  As I have stated on a number of occasions, it is hard to believe that 
Russia's assistance to Iran does not violate Russia's international 
obligations as an adherent to the Missile Technology Control Regime. It 
is inconceivable that such transfers do not trigger U.S. missile 
sanctions laws.
  In the 1980s, the world sat by while Saddam Hussein built up his 
arsenal of weapons of mass destruction that we have not yet fully 
identified and destroyed; and our Nation cannot afford to do the same 
with Iran, as it uses its petrodollars to purchase weapons systems that 
will threaten its neighbors and endanger our forces throughout the 
Persian Gulf region.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.
  Mr. PICKETT. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Guam, Mr. Underwood.
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
the time.
  Madam Speaker, I enthusiastically support the bill, H.R. 2896, as 
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Pickett), and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Spratt). The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) deserves our 
gratitude for his persistence in moving this legislation, which is 
cosponsored by no less than 111 members.
  The Theater Missile Defense Improvement Act of 1998 is one of the 
most important and timely pieces of legislation to be presented before 
this body.
  As a member of the Committee on National Security, I have become 
keenly aware of the many threats posed by adversarial missile defense 
development and deployments and illicit technology transfers around the 
world. We only know too well the potential for destruction these 
weapons hold.
  In the hands of our friends and allies, these weapons are valuable 
tools that safeguard democracy. In the hands of our adversaries, where 
the potential exists to arm them with chemical and biological warheads, 
the results are potentially catastrophic.
  Madam Speaker, in a world rocked with uncertainties, we must remove 
the cloak of fear utilized by our adversaries. This important 
legislation will ensure in no small manner that the United States will 
have the technology and capability to defend our troops, no matter 
where they are, and citizens of every State and territory in the land. 
The real danger posed by rogue states such as Iran, North Korea, and 
Iran compel us to prepare to defend our vital assets.
  I support this bill because it is the best way to assure our friends 
and allies that we will not be placed in a tactically compromising 
position. I support H.R. 2786 because it is non-scenario, non-
geographic specific. It cuts to the core of the issue, to produce for 
the defense of the United States a highly capable, highly robust TMD 
system that could be deployed anywhere our enemies pose a ballistic 
missile threat.
  Finally, Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Guam, I support 
this bill for the safety and defense of our fellow U.S. citizens, who 
have been specifically targeted by North Korean military as they 
develop the Taepo Dong-1 and 2.
  I congratulate this bipartisan effort and especially the work of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) and the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Pickett).
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pappas), one of our young rising stars 
in this Congress.
  (Mr. PAPPAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)

                              {time}  1830

  Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I believe this country owes a great deal 
of gratitude to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) for his 
leadership on this issue. This Congress is faced with a situation of 
whether to stick our heads in the proverbial sand or open our eyes to 
see the threats that we have to our national security. This bill moves 
us from the hand-wringing stage into the stage of action.
  This bill will leverage existing systems to advance missile defense 
for our troops. Part of the ability to leverage existing technologies 
is to capitalize on what has worked elsewhere. For example, Israel has 
an ongoing missile defense system that has demonstrated favorable 
results. In this age of limited defense dollars, the Pentagon cannot 
afford to, quote-unquote, ``reinvent the wheel'' or be a slave to 
bureaucracy to develop technology and implement systems that will 
protect our troops now.
  Recently, 36 members of the Committee on National Security signed a 
letter to the President circulated by myself and the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Harman) urging him to work with Israel and leverage 
existing technology to develop Arrow, THEL, and BPI. Many share my 
concern about a seeming lack of commitment by this administration to 
deal with missile defense and the very real risks our troops, 
interests, and allies face in the Middle East, Korea and throughout the 
world.
  Madam Speaker, this bill is a first step and I am hopeful that this 
Congress will seek to protect our troops. Failure to do so would be to 
shirk our duty to uphold the Constitution and to provide for the common 
defense. I urge passage of this bill.
  Mr. PICKETT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Reyes).
  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to speak in 
support of this important bill which will provide our troops better 
protection from ballistic missile threats. I

[[Page H1726]]

am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, and I am pleased 
that this issue is finally getting the attention of the full House of 
Representatives.
  Fort Bliss, which is located in my district, trains all the soldiers 
who provide air and missile defense for our military. Also, and perhaps 
most importantly for the purposes of this bill, most of the Patriot 
batteries are located at Fort Bliss.
  As such, the increased funds for PAC-3 technologies will directly 
affect our soldiers. The Fort Bliss air defenders will be using these 
technologies to better defend our military and our allies. Our soldiers 
at Fort Bliss are pleased that we are working to provide the resources 
necessary to move PAC-3 into the field as effectively and as quickly as 
possible.
  The bill includes $15 million to accelerate completion of the PAC-3 
remote launch capability. This technology will allow the Patriot 
soldiers to place their missiles and launchers further out in front of 
the radar and the battery, which in turn expands the battle space. This 
will allow each Patriot unit to defend a larger area.
  Second, the bill provides $41 million to allow for an increased rate 
of production for PAC-3. This will move PAC-3 missiles out into the 
field more rapidly so that every Patriot unit will have the PAC-3 
capability.
  At the beginning of the Gulf War conflict, our Patriot soldiers had 
only three PAC-2 missiles, missiles that were capable of defending 
against other ballistic missiles. Not only were there few PAC-2 
missiles, but PAC-2 could only achieve missile kill against the 
incoming ballistic missile and not kill the actual warhead. As a 
result, some diverted incoming missiles caused collateral damage in 
civilian areas.
  PAC-3 will have hit-to-kill capability, eliminating the fear of 
hitting other areas and destroying offensive missiles and their 
warheads which could include weapons of mass destruction. The funds we 
provide today will equip our Patriot units more quickly with this 
technology.
  Third, the bill provides $40 million for tests of PAC-3 and Navy 
Area. Our air defenders will feel more comfortable knowing that these 
technologies have been sufficiently tested with live fire tests against 
longer range missiles.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Spence), the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett) 
and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for their bipartisan 
work to get this bill to the House floor today. I strongly urge all of 
my colleagues to support this legislation in a bipartisan manner.
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Fowler), one of the 
leading advocates for a strong defense in our country.
  Mrs. FOWLER. Madam Speaker, I rise to commend the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), my good friend, and the other authors of 
this bill for their hard work in putting together a measure that will 
help address critical threats that will soon be facing our service 
personnel in the Persian Gulf.
  The Iran Missile Protection Act would authorize the shifting of $147 
million in Defense Department funds to proceed with the most promising 
technologies available for enhancing theater missile defense 
capabilities. This step is necessary because recent intelligence 
indicates that Iran, thanks to Russian technology transfers, is much 
closer to developing a medium-range ballistic missile capable of 
threatening U.S. forces and regional allies that was previously 
believed to be the case.
  This bill would pursue technologies that are executable in fiscal 
year 1998 and provide the most immediate return on investment. It 
received strong support in the House Committee on National Security and 
merits the approval of the House. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
2786.
  Mr. PICKETT. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance 
of my time.
  Madam Speaker, first of all, let me again thank the leadership of our 
committee. The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) are outstanding leaders working 
in a true bipartisan manner.
  Let me also thank Ron Dellums, who was our ranking member up until a 
few short weeks ago. He, too, lent his support from the time we 
introduced the original legislation until the time it appears on the 
floor, and I appreciate his role in that process as well. I also thank 
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Pickett) and the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for their tireless effort on the other side.
  Madam Speaker, let me also thank the Speaker of the House, who agreed 
to move this legislation through, and our colleagues in the other body 
for their commitment to move this legislation off the desk and get it 
passed in the Senate as well, and to the appropriators for their 
commitment to fund these priorities.
  Madam Speaker, when we look at what is really going to happen in 
terms of this legislation, I think this chart perhaps sums it up best. 
We cannot get into actual distances and capabilities because that is 
classified information.
  But if we look at the Patriot system, which all of America knows was 
the workhorse in Desert Storm, and its capability for knocking down 
Scuds, the capability of the Patriot system against the kind of threat 
that Iran will have 1 year from now means the Patriot could not handle 
this at all. Patriot has no capability against a 1,000 kilometer DBM 
threat. None whatsoever. If we just had the original Patriot system, we 
could do nothing. We would be shooting missiles in the air with no real 
capability of knocking those offensive missiles down.
  By enhancing the Patriot system as we have done to improve it to 
become the PAC-2, this green area shows the approximate area that this 
missile would be effective, in these two concentric circles. From a 
distance standpoint, that is the approximate distance that PAC-2 
upgrade would give us.
  When we implement the provisions of this legislation, we provide for 
the enhanced radar, the interoperability, the use of existing systems 
interconnected, the blue area is the result that we get. So my 
colleagues can see that we are much better able to protect our troops 
and protect our allies. We have a much greater distance where we can 
take out that offensive missile while it is still over the country that 
is shooting at us, and if there is any hostile material in the warhead 
of that missile, it will rain down on their own citizens and not on our 
troops or allies.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation is critically important. It will give 
us a short-term capability in fiscal year 1998 to give enhanced 
protection for our troops and for our allies around the world. I thank 
my colleagues for their support.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PICKETT. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I 
urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2786, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read:
  ``A bill to authorize additional appropriations for the Department of 
Defense for ballistic missile defenses and other measures to counter 
the emerging threat posed to the United States and its allies by the 
accelerated development and deployment of ballistic missiles by nations 
hostile to United States interests.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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