""The underlying issue here is whether US missile defense should remain focused on the threat from rogue states and... accidental launches, and explicitly refrain from countering missile threats from China or Russia," DesJarlais said. He called the policy of Mutually Assured Destruction "outdated." Moulton's amendment on nuclear deterrence failed to pass the committee in a voice vote, as did another Moulton proposal that would have tapped the brakes on developing space-based interceptors. But one of Moulton's amendments did make it through the committee."
"The White House says the missile shield will cost $175 billion over the next three years. But that's just to start. A network of space-based missile sensors and interceptors, as prescribed in Trump's executive order, will eventually number thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit. The Congressional Budget Office reported in May that the Golden Dome program may ultimately cost up to $542 billion over 20 years."
Lawmakers debated priorities for U.S. missile defense, including whether to focus on rogue states and accidental launches or to counter China and Russia. Several proposed amendments failed, including one on nuclear deterrence and another to slow development of space-based interceptors. One amendment passed to prohibit privatized or subscription-based intercept capabilities and reserve ownership and operation to the U.S. military. The House Armed Services Committee voted 55-2 to advance the NDAA to the House floor; differences with the Senate bill must be reconciled before presidential signature. The White House projects $175 billion initially; the program could expand to thousands of satellites and cost up to $542 billion over 20 years. The Pentagon has not finalized an architecture; planned elements include global satellite sensors and orbital interceptors targeting missiles in boost phase.
Read at Ars Technica
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