ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates the congressional arena was even more instrumental in the decision-making process after the decision to enter acquisition and deployment. Conventional wisdom suggests that members of Congress have been negligent in using their power over the purse to direct defense politics. As fiscal year 1979 came to a close and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II was placed on the agenda for the Senate, Jimmy Carter had to announce a funding decision for MX. Liberal arms control proponents had persistently argued that mobile, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles would jeopardize arms control negotiations, and, in fact, increase the risk of nuclear war. It was the positive financial implications of the construction and deployment of MX, and the inclination to accept the air force argument about the national security needs for the weapon system that led to the initial commitment by citizens and officials alike.
