[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 72 (Friday, May 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT T. SCHILLING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 18, 2012

  Mr. SCHILLING. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, May 18, 2012, during a rapid 
succession of two-minute votes, I was unable to cast my vote for 
rollcall Number 288.
  Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on the Rehberg 
Amendment No. 59 to H.R. 4310, which passed with a bipartisan vote of 
238 162. Our nuclear deterrent is a vital part of our continued 
military strength and global presence.
  Our nuclear deterrent through our nuclear triad continues to keep the 
peace, and we must ensure that any reductions that may occur to our 
nuclear triad are certified by the Secretary of Defense to be needed 
and in compliance. Congress must exercise its oversight to ensure that 
our national security is not placed at risk by political ideologies.
  The Rehberg Amendment ensures that Congress does have that oversight 
while still complying with the international agreements we have made as 
a country. We also need to show Russia that we take their 
disingenuousness about the number of working missiles and platforms 
very seriously.
  Again, had I not been delayed, I would have voted in support of 
Rehberg Amendment No. 59 to H.R. 4310.

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