    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 22, 1999]
    [Pages 1304-1305]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the National Missile Defense Act of 1999
    July 22, 1999

        I have signed into law H.R. 4, the ``National Missile Defense Act of
    1999.'' My Administration is committed to addressing the growing danger
    that rogue nations may develop and field long-range missiles capable of
    delivering weapons of mass destruction against the United States and our
    allies.
        Section 2 of this Act states that it is the policy of the United
    States to deploy as soon as technologically possible an effective
    National Missile

    [[Page 1305]]

    Defense (NMD) system with funding subject to the annual authorization of
    appropriations and the annual appropriation of funds for NMD. By
    specifying that any NMD deployment must be subject to the authorization
    and appropriations process, the legislation makes clear that no decision
    on deployment has been made. This interpretation, which is confirmed by
    the legislative record taken as a whole, is also required to avoid any
    possible impairment of my constitutional authorities.
        Section 3 of the Act states that it is the policy of the United
    States to seek continued negotiated reductions in Russian nuclear
    forces. Thus, section 3 puts the Congress on record as continuing to
    support negotiated reductions in strategic nuclear arms, reaffirming my
    Administration's position that our missile defense policy must take into
    account our arms control and nuclear nonproliferation objectives.
        Next year, we will, for the first time, determine whether to deploy
    a limited National Missile Defense, when we review the results of flight
    tests and other developmental efforts, consider cost estimates, and
    evaluate the threat. Any NMD system we deploy must be operationally
    effective, cost-effective, and enhance our security. In making our
    determination, we will also review progress in achieving our arms
    control objectives, including negotiating any amendments to the ABM
    Treaty that may be required to accommodate a possible NMD deployment.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    July 22, 1999.

    Note: H.R. 4, approved July 22, was assigned Public Law No. 106-38. This
    statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on July 23.