Washington, D.C. - Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) issued the following statement on major changes announced today to U.S. Missile Defense plans in Europe:

"The missile defense shield is about security for our allies and deterrence of nuclear threats by hostile nations,” said Brady.  “I am skeptical the President's decision makes us more secure or less likely to face nuclear threats by rogue nations in the future.”

“If this is, in fact, a strategic decision based upon some unknown concession by Russia and others to join America's efforts against nuclear regimes in the region, then we can expect new initiatives by Russia to become apparent soon.

“I suspect, though, that this is more simply a disdain for an idea championed by former President Bush that liberals in America have come to hate. If so, it's a terribly short-sighted decision that will come back to haunt America."