December 12, 2007 – Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today gave the following statement after the House successfully passed the Conference Report for the FY2008 Defense Authorization Bill.

“Overall the Defense Authorization Conference Report provides the necessary, overdue, and well-deserved funding to our men and women in Armed Services to meet their immediate needs and allow them to continue serving courageously in the defense of this nation.  It is also a victory for those men and women that the Hate Crimes language, a sharply divisive provision, was kept out of the bill, and I commend my House Colleagues for remaining steadfast in ensuring that this was done. 

“However, those who crafted the final version of this year’s authorization cut vital funding for crucial programs intended to anticipate emerging and future threats, rather than near-term threats alone.  The most significant, and potentially harmful cut was the overall 450 million dollar reduction in the budget for the Missile Defense Agency, as well as the failure to fully fund the European Missile Defense Site. 

“In addition, the conference reports stipulates a 35 million cut from the Airborne Laser program, a 100 million cut from the Space Tracking and Surveillance System, a 65 million cut from Multiple Kill Vehicle, and they completely zeroed out funding for the Space Test Bed.  As our enemies continue to relentlessly pursue and gain the technological means to carry out their evil ambitions against our troops, America, and the West, it is my hope that my Democratic colleagues will consider more carefully the need to fill the holes in our Defense budget.”