Capital District Times

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has expressed her disapproval following a letter from Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The letter opposes Stefanik's proposal in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to establish an East Coast Missile Defense Site at Fort Drum by 2030.

“It is unacceptable yet unsurprising that the Biden-Harris Administration is opposed to my bipartisan provision in the National Defense Authorization Act which will strengthen our homeland missile defense architecture by requiring the completion of a third U.S. missile defense site by 2030," Stefanik stated.

She emphasized concerns about growing threats, citing adversaries such as Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia. "Due to the feckless weakness of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on the world stage, the abilities of our adversaries to threaten our homeland have grown significantly," she said.

Stefanik argues for bolstering homeland missile defense starting with Fort Drum's construction. She urged President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to support including this provision in the NDAA.

In June 2024, Stefanik led efforts for a requirement in the Servicemembers Quality Of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for FY25 for constructing an East Coast Missile Defense Site at Fort Drum by 2030. Earlier that month, she voted for increased funding for planning and design at Fort Drum through the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2025. She also communicated this intent to MDA Director Lieutenant General Heath Collins.

Previously in April 2024, Stefanik called on MDA Director Collins to use $10 million secured via FY24 NDAA for planning at Fort Drum. In April 2023, she received a public commitment from former MDA Director Vice Admiral Jon Hill during a Strategic Forces Subcommittee Hearing. In March 2023, she gained support from General Mark Milley on constructing a third missile defense site at Fort Drum.