Ehrlich on Washington column, June 18, 2001

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, , Ir. Second Congressional District of Maryland \!^m! 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 ON WASHINGTON Week of June 1 8, 200 1 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Building A 21s’ Century Defense Imagine the scene: A White House official rushes into the Oval Office and alerts the President that Saddam Hussein has launched a ballistic missile at the United States. The President immediately asks his generals what defenses are at his disposal. The answer: “Sir, we are defenseless.” This scenario is deadly accurate. How, then, does America defend itself from a rogue missile attack? The National Missile Defense Initiative, championed by President George W. Bush and the three presidents who proceeded him, is the future of America’s defense. America’s technological genius can stop short, medium, and long-range missiles before delivering their deadly cargo at U.S. and allied targets. Major threats to our national security exist all over the world. China, North Korea, India and Pakistan all posses nuclear or ballistic missiles, and each harbors resentment toward American ideals. The international landscape has changed so dramatically since the Cold War, that America’s potential enemies and their intentions are more hazy than ever. We have the unique ability to protect America’s shores, allies, and interests with a national missile defense system. Should we invest our vast resources to create this defense? Or should America walk away, leaving her citizens and allies vulnerable? Unfortunately, when President Bush visited Europe’s leaders this past week, he was met by skepticism towards this plan. Some allies argued that a missile defense would spark a new arms race around the world. President Bush, however, has stated his willingness to share missile defense technology with Russia and other nations who are apprehensive toward its deployment. Others are hesitant to invest valuable capital in the deployment of a missile defense. I believe that this funding is a small price to pay for the security of America’s citizens and that of her allies.