US bill calls for updating list of critical Golden Dome missile defense assets

WASHINGTON — A Republican U.S. lawmaker has introduced legislation calling for an update to the Pentagon's list of critical assets supporting President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense initiative, citing growing missile threats from China and Russia and increased security cooperation among U.S. adversaries, including North Korea. Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) introduced the bill to the House of Representatives on Oct. 6, directing the secretary of defense to update the Pentagon's Critical Asset List to incorporate facilities and systems essential to the development, deployment and operation of Golden Dome. The legislation was referred to the House Armed Services Committee. The bill calls for including space-based sensors and interceptors, associated ground control stations, ground-based missile defense facilities and critical command-and-control infrastructure in the updated list. It also requires the Pentagon to revise its Defended Asset List to prioritize assets for protection based on their importance, vulnerability to missile attacks and available defensive resources. The legisl