Mike Turner, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over our nation’s nuclear arsenal and missile defense systems, issued the following statement responding to the Obama Administration’s proposal to shelve the European ballistic missile defense system planned for deployment in Poland and the Czech Republic:
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Mike Turner, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over our nation’s nuclear arsenal and missile defense systems, issued the following statement responding to the Obama Administration’s proposal to shelve the European ballistic missile defense system planned for deployment in Poland and the Czech Republic:

“The Obama Administration has placed America and its allies in the position where we could face a nuclear Iran with missiles capable of reaching the United States and no European-based missile defense system to protect our homeland. By taking this unilateral action, the Administration is failing to adequately recognize the threat posed by Iran. Furthermore, the Administration is placing our security interests in the hands of the Russian government in an effort to pressure Iran to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“If the Administration pursues this course of action, it will result in a loss of confidence by our European allies and embolden Iran just as the Administration plans to sit down to talks with the Iranian government. This will seriously weaken our position in bilateral arms control negotiations with the Russians this year. 

“The Obama Administration needs to seriously reconsider this course of action.”