A measure offered by Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) would push the development of a boost-phase missile defense weapon, following several unsuccessful attempts by the Pentagon that have cost billions of dollars. In an April 23 voice vote, House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee members approved the amendment as part of the Republican-led panel's mark-up of the fiscal year 2016 defense authorization bill. The top Democrat on the subcommittee, Rep. Jim Cooper (TN), had urged its rejection, calling it a "serious...