Lamar Alexander on Defense

Stop the free fall in defense spending

We need a President who will stop the free fall in defense spending. We need a President who knows that you never point the gun unless you are prepared to pull the trigger. We need a President who will never send our armed forces into battle under United Nations command. We need a President who understands that we are the number one superpower, but we should never become involved in anyone else’s civil war unless we are prepared to commit more than sufficient forces to pick one side to win that war. Source: United We Stand America Conference, p.312 Aug 12, 1995

Develop and deploy SDI

The world is more dangerous and unpredictable today than at the height of the Cold War. Today, the threats are from rogue states and terrorist organizations that are developing biological, chemical and nuclear weapons as well as ballistic missiles capable of reaching the US. As President, I will be committed to strengthening our national defense to meet these new 21st Century threats. This means developing and deploying a national missile defense system as soon as it is technologically possible. Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue May 25, 1999

Upgrade Aegis; include allies under missile defense

[We should] proceed with upgrading the Navy’s Aegis system for theater defense of our troops and our allies. Japan and South Korea worry about missile attacks from North Korea. We should consider putting Taiwan under that umbrella too. Congress should pass the Cochran-Inouye bill [which says the US should deploy] an effective National Missile Defense system capable of defending the territory of the US against limited ballistic missile attack (whether accidental, unauthorized or deliberate). Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue May 25, 1999

Amend ABM treaty to allow SDI, or withdraw from it

The ABM Treaty will have to be amended [to account for defense against rogue states’ missile attack]. If Russia balks, we must be prepared to withdraw from it. However, we must make it clear to the Russians that they are not the subject of our concerns. For all their current troubles, it is very much in our interest to see Russia become an economically sound friend rather than a weak and truculent rival. Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue May 25, 1999

Upgrade retirement and health benefits for veterans

We should restore retirement pay for 20 years of active duty service to 50% of basic pay from the 40% level. A [new] GI Bill for the 21st Century [should] provide education, housing & employment opportunities for returning members of the armed services. Our present veteran population is aging, [so] the Department of Veterans Affairs must have a budget sufficient to provide the medical care these veterans will need, [including] long-term care and home care. Source: www.LamarAlexander.org/issue May 25, 1999

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