National Missile Defense Deployment Criteria Act of 2001

H.R. 2786, the National Missile Defense Deployment Criteria Act of 2001, proposes strict requirements that must be met before the United States can deploy a national missile defense system. The bill would require the President to certify to Congress that the system is technologically proven, cost-effective compared to other defense needs, and capable of handling realistic decoys or countermeasures. Additionally, the bill mandates that the system must not harm international relations or overall national security, and it requires a joint resolution of approval from Congress before deployment or procurement funding can proceed.

For citizens, this legislation aims to ensure that significant taxpayer investments in missile defense are only spent on technology that has been rigorously tested and proven effective against real-world threats. By requiring Congressional approval and a demonstration of a clear threat, the bill seeks to balance high-tech defense spending with other national security priorities and international stability.