PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Cloture on the motion to proceed not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53-46. Record Vote No: 157. (consideration: CR S5741)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 21, 1996
Defend America Act of 1996 - Expresses U.S. policy to deploy by the end of 2003 a National Missile Defense (NMD) system that: (1) is capable of providing a highly effective defense of U.S. territory against limited, unauthorized, or accidental ballistic missile attack; (2) will be augmented over time to provide a layered defense against larger and more sophisticated ballistic missile threats; and (3) does not feature an offensive-only form of deterrence. Directs the Secretary of Defense to develop for deployment an affordable and operationally effective NMD system which shall achieve an initial operational capability by the end of 2003. Outlines system elements, including the use of missile interceptors on the ground, at sea, and in space. Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to implement the NMD system development upon enactment of this Act, including the conduct of an integrated systems test by the end of 1998. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress the Secretary's plans for the development and deployment of the NMD system. Urges the President to pursue high-level discussions with the Russian Federation to achieve an agreement to amend the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty to allow deployment of the NMD system. Requires the President to present any such agreement to the Senate for its advice and consent. Requires the President and the Congress, if such an agreement is not achieved within one year after enactment of this Act, to consider exercising the option of withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty.
People & committees
Sen. Dole, Robert J. [R-KS] · R–KS
Legislative record
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Cloture on the motion to proceed not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53-46. Record Vote No: 157. (consideration: CR S5741)
Senate roll call 157 · Individual votesMotion to proceed considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5715-5741)
Motion to proceed considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5672-5690)
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S5627)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S5627)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5626-5627)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 411.
Committee on Armed Services. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Armed Services. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond without amendment. Without written report.
Committee on Armed Services. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Armed Services. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2651-2652)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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