Under the amendment, NMD could not be advanced toward deployment until testing shows it can defeat countermeasures. An independent Pentagon review panel would report on the special testing to Congress. Backers said that in testing so far, U.S. interceptor missiles have been matched against relatively cooperative targets, yet still have shown no consistent ability to hit incoming missiles. Opponents said NMD design and testing is evolving at a satisfactory pace. A yes vote was to block another level of NMD testing.
Defenders say it imposes no major cost on taxpayers while safeguarding U.S. jobs.
A yes vote was to continue the federal sugar program. While the bill relies mainly on tax breaks to generate development and raise living standards, it also expands direct federal aid to religious groups, providing them with grants to run substance abuse programs. Companies also would be allowed to immediately expense, rather than depreciate over time, a large share of equipment and environmental cleanup costs. A yes vote was to pass the bill. A yes vote was to lift the Cuba travel ban.