Saratoga, NY – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) and Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-5) today sent a letter to House Appropriations Chair Betty McCollum and Ranking Member Ken Calvert requesting full funding for missile defense programs in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget.
In part, the letter reads: “The United States military’s ability to deter and defend against missile and rocket attacks by our adversaries is one of its most critical missions. Our military services and combatant commands work around the clock every day to track and defend against potential threats to the United States, our allies, and U.S. forces located throughout the world. Robustly funding the Department of Defense’s tactical and strategic missile defense weapon systems are essential to ensuring we maintain our ability to protect Americans from missile threats. It is for these reasons why we’re disappointed to see the Administration’s $8.9 billion request for Fiscal Year 2022 fell well short of the $10.5 billion enacted in Fiscal Year 2021.”
“President Biden’s proposed budget fails to fully invest in the Department of Defense’s missile defense weapons systems to ensure we keep pace with our adversaries’ rapidly developing missile capabilities,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Without robust support, the Department will be unable to sustain critical requirements necessary to protect Americans from increasing missile threats. As the chief advocate for Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, I have long fought for federal support for missile defense systems and was proud to secure Fort Drum as the preferred site for an East Coast Missile Defense facility. I will continue to work with my House colleagues and urge the Biden Administration to fully fund our military and defense programs.”
Congressman Brooks said, “America’s national security hinges on our ability to defend against missile and rocket attacks from our adversaries. My House Armed Services Committee colleagues and I were extremely disappointed to see President Joe Biden’s $8.9 billion budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 fall short of the $10.5 billion enacted in Fiscal Year 2021. If we don’t robustly support missile defense programs, America will be less prepared to defend itself against attack and rogue nations might attempt to exploit missile defense weaknesses. America must never allow our adversaries to mistakenly believe they can defeat us. We must adequately fund our nation’s most effective and vital deterrents.”
