In between votes on the war in Iraq, the House is expected soon to consider the fiscal year 2008 defense appropriations bill. While this bill will occasion one or more votes on Iraq, it may also see a floor debate over missile defense. That’s because when the House Appropriations Committee approved the bill yesterday, it slashed the president’s request for funding to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.:
There’s no question that the plans of the U.S., Poland and the Czech Republic have caused some consternation in Russia. In fact, while the Appropriations Committee was slashing missile defense funds, President Putin was talking about the need to build up the Russian military and step up spying on the West:
While missile defense is clearly an irritant for Rusia, it’s difficult to determine how much of Putin’s reaction might be attributable to Russia’s upcoming presidential election. President Putin rattled the saber at NATO expansion for example, but eventually there was a ‘meeting of the minds.’ This case might be similar. Further, the planned missile defense system will both enhance U.S. security against rogue nations, and cement ties with important new allies. One strong supporter of missile defense is Congressman Jim Marshall (D-GA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee. When contacted by the WWS for comment, he had this to say:
Leadership on this issue from representatives like Marshall will be critical to any attempt to restore funding–particularly since support is weak in the Senate. Given the circumstances, President Bush may not opt for a veto merely to salvage at-risk elements of missile defense. For more on the Russian reaction to the proposed system, be sure to check out a recent piece by the former spook about the disingenuous nature of Putin’s proposed ‘compromise’ on missile defense.
