[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 10]
[House]
[Page 13849]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO CUT THE MISSILE DEFENSE BUDGET

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Fleming) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Speaker, on April 5 of this year, North Korea 
launched a missile capable of hitting nations friendly to us and even 
parts of the United States. The rocket broke apart during its second 
phase, but it was able to track halfway across the Pacific Ocean.
  What was our response to the growing threat? We announced the missile 
defense budget would be cut by $1.4 billion.
  On May 25, 2009, North Korea successfully detonated a nuclear bomb at 
an underground test facility and launched at least six separate short-
range ballistic missiles. And I understand that the bomb was about a 3- 
to 5-kiloton magnitude bomb.
  Now there is news that North Korea may be preparing another long-
range missile test. North Korea's nuclear weapons testing and 
production have been a major concern for years as they continue to make 
technological advances that could one day allow them to deliver a 
nuclear warhead anywhere in the U.S. This is not the time to cut our 
missile defense budget.
  Mr. Speaker, we must continue to invest in the ground-based sensors 
to track, intercept and destroy missiles during the mid-course of 
flight and ensure America is protected against attacks from those who 
pose the biggest threat to our safety and freedom.
  History remains clear on this. Being unprepared or passive always 
invites aggression.

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