NDAA Amendment Targeting North Korea As Belligerents Predates Aggression Towards U.S. - What Is The Media Not Covering?

Via The National Committee on North Korea

FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act

On May 10, 2012, the House Armed Services Committee approved by a vote of 32-26 an amendment to the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act expressing the "Sense of Congress" in support of deploying additional conventional forces to South Korea and redeploying tactical nuclear weapons in the Western Pacific – presumably to South Korea. The amendment also would require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the feasibility of deploying nuclear forces and additional troops to the region.

While the “Sense of Congress” clause is not binding in any matter, its inclusion in the final version of the legislation would be a strong signal of intent to the Obama administration and foreign governments.

"It's become time for us as a nation to look to our deterrent and our ability to take care of ourselves and work with our allies to do everything we can to deter and to be able to defend ourselves against any future belligerence or threats from North Korea," said Representative Trent Franks (R-Ariz..), who introduced the amendment.

The bill is now heading to the House floor for consideration; the Senate version of the bill is scheduled for markup from May 22-24.

The full text of the amendment is as follows:

AMENDMENT TO H.R. 4310 OFFERED BY MR. FRANKS OF ARIZONA

At the appropriate place in title X, insert the following:

REPORT ON CONVENTIONAL AND NUCLEAR FORCES IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGION.

(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—Congress—

(1) supports steps taken by the President to—

(A) reinforce the security of the allies of the United States; and

(B) strengthen the deterrent capability of the United States against the illegal and increasingly belligerent actions of North Korea; and

(2) encourages further steps, including such steps to deploy additional conventional forces of the United States and redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to the Western Pacific region.

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on deploying additional conventional and nuclear forces to the Western Pacific region to ensure the presence of a robust conventional and nuclear capability, including a forward-deployed nuclear capability, of the United States in response to the ballistic missile and nuclear weapons developments of North Korea and the other belligerent actions North Korea has made against allies of the United States. The report shall include an evaluation of any bilateral agreements, basing arrangements, and costs that would be involved with such additional deployments.

Last updated May 11, 2012

Authors: [MISSING]
Published Date: May 11, 2012 12:00 AM
Document Types: US Legislation and Laws
Was this work done by a NCNK Member?: No