“The latest test failure of the missile defense system demonstrates once again that we are rushing to activate a system that is unproven, too costly, and inadequate for our national security needs in the post 9-11 world.

The entire program is a terrible mistake. It is spending literally billions of dollars to deploy something for which the basic science is not complete, and it is not going to be able to defend our nation.

Since 1985, the Missile Defense Agency has spent more than $80 billion and is set to receive an additional $10.2 billion in FY 2005, making it the most expensive defense program in the Pentagon’s budget.

The system has gone through limited testing, our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq lack body armor and other equipment essential for their missions and no missile defense can stop a terrorist from smuggling a nuclear bomb into this country on a container ship or another soft port of entry.

Clearly, we need to take a step back and make better decisions how to spend our resources to face a growing number of national security challenges, including providing for non-proliferation activities, deterrence, homeland security, and counter-proliferation. Now is not the right time to activate a missile defense system.”

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