Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Passes NDAA Amendments to Ensure Robust Missile Defense for Hawaii

Press Release

Today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) passed two amendments to the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to increase missile defense capabilities in Hawaii in order to address the ongoing threat of North Korea. The amendments would provide funding for a new ballistic missile defense (BMD) radar in Hawaii, and require the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to brief Congress on their short-term plan to enhance missile defense capabilities in Hawaii and the Pacific.

In addition to the two amendments passed today, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard also secured language in the bill authorizing $10 million for the planning and design for a new radar at the PMRF, and requiring the Department of Defense to carry out an environmental impact assessment for any alternatives to fielding a medium-range ballistic missile sensor for Hawaii's defense system.

"Just this past weekend, North Korea conducted its fourth missile test in the past 4 months, a reminder of the persistent and serious threat North Korea poses to both Hawaii and the United States. Earlier this year, Congress took an important step forward, and passed hard-currency sanctions against North Korea. But sanctions alone are not enough--we must stop the downward trend in our own investment in ballistic missile defense capabilities to counter this threat.

"We cannot afford to wait until North Korea has launched test missiles on our shores to take necessary steps to improve our defenses. The amendments I passed today set up a timeline for the Department of Defense to take action and ensure the defense of Hawaii, and the United States, stays ahead of the increasing threat posed by North Korea."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard also cosponsored an amendment introduced by Rep. Mark Takai (HI-01) to require the Department of Defense to brief Congress on the potential benefits of operationalizing radar test assets at PMRF to provide Hawaii with ballistic missile protection.

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