[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 30 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Page 1471]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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. 
This item was not received in time for publication in the appropriate 
issue.