Defend America Act of 1996

Summary

Defend America Act of 1996 - Expresses U.S. policy to deploy by the end of 2003 a National Missile Defense (NMD) system that: (1) is capable of providing a highly effective defense of U.S. territory against limited, unauthorized, or accidental ballistic missile attack; (2) will be augmented over time to provide a layered defense against larger and more sophisticated ballistic missile threats; and (3) does not feature an offensive-only form of deterrence. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop for deployment an affordable and operationally effective NMD system which shall achieve an initial operational capability by the end of 2003. Outlines system elements, including the use of missile interceptors on the ground, at sea, and in space. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to implement the NMD system development upon enactment of this Act, including the conduct of an integrated systems test by the end of 1998. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Secretary's plans for the development and deployment of the NMD system. Urges the President to pursue high-level discussions with the Russian Federation to achieve an agreement to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty to allow deployment of the NMD system. Requires the President to present any such agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent. Requires the President and the Congress, if such an agreement is not achieved within one year after enactment of this Act, to consider exercising the option of withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 21 March 1996

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 21 March 1996

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2651-2652)

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 21 March 1996

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 18 April 1996

   Committee

   Committee on Armed Services. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.

   Source: Committee

5. 23 April 1996

   Reported

   Committee on Armed Services. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

   Source: Committee

6. 16 May 1996

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 411.

   Source: Calendars

7. 16 May 1996

   Reported

   Committee on Armed Services. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond without amendment. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

8. 16 May 1996

   Reported

   Committee on Armed Services. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond without amendment. Without written report.

   Source: Committee

9. 23 May 1996

   Floor

   Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S5627)

   Source: Floor

10. 23 May 1996

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5626-5627)

    Source: IntroReferral

11. 3 June 1996

    Floor

    Motion to proceed considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5672-5690)

    Source: Floor

12. 4 June 1996

    Floor

    Motion to proceed considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5715-5741)

    Source: Floor

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Reported to Senate · 16 May 1996 · Official file
• Introduced in Senate · 21 March 1996 · Official file

Documents

5 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 16 May 1996

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 16 May 1996

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 March 1996

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 21 March 1996

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 21 March 1996

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Dole, Robert J. [R-KS] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Helms, Jesse [R-NC] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Cochran, Thad [R-MS-4] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Warner, John [R-VA] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Lott, Trent [R-MS-5] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ-4] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Smith, Bob [R-NH-1] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK-1] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Nickles, Don [R-OK] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Kempthorne, Dirk [R-ID] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Coats, Daniel [R-IN] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Cohen, William S. [R-ME-2] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Gramm, Phil [R-TX] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Ashcroft, John [R-MO] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Faircloth, Lauch [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT] · R · Cosponsor
• · ssas00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Defend America Act of 1996