Washington, D.C. – A group of Republican U.S. lawmakers, including North Dakota’s Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven, introduced a bill that would create a new missile defense system similar to Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’
The Golden Dome Act would come at a cost of $21 billion, following up on President Trump’s request for a homeland defense method that would integrate multiple existing systems.
The phrase ‘Golden Dome’ is an acronym for Ground & Orbital Launched Defeat of Emergent Nuclear Destruction and Other Missile Engagements.
“One of the things that President Trump has demonstrated is he has incredible vision, he can articulate that vision and sees around the corners,” Cramer said at a Tuesday press conference on Capitol Hill in defense of the measure.
“He [Trump] sees things no one else sees.”
Along with military capabilities in other states like Alabama, Alaska and Hawaii, the bill would include the usage of North Dakota’s Perimeter Acquisition Radar System at Cavalier Space Force Base.
“Everybody’s got a role to play,” said Hoeven. “We have to make sure it works as we put these systems together. The real key is how we integrate these systems.”
Until that happens, Hoeven says North Dakota’s role in the current nuclear triad will continue to keep the country safe.
Minot Air Force houses the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing, which contribute to the air and land component of the nation’s nuclear defense.
Cramer also struck down critics who think the legislation will exacerbate tension with enemies of the U.S..
“There are people who look at Golden Dome, mainly our adversaries, who believe that will accelerate the [military] conflicts in space,” said Cramer. “I say to you no, it will not. The greatest deterrents in the world often time are defense systems.”
