Increasingly concerned about the lack of integrated defense against cruise missiles, low-altitude aircraft and short-range missile attacks, Congress is telling the Pentagon to report in on its progress in protecting the homeland.

In the regular fiscal 2008 defense spending bill enacted Nov. 13, appropriators have mandated both classified and unclassified reports over plans for the development of domestic cruise missile defense capabilities, their deployment and their integration into the ballistic missile defense system (BMDS).

The provision originates from the House Appropriations Committee, where lawmakers said they were anxious about the potential - albeit questionable - threat of cruise missiles against the United States (DAILY, Aug. 8). A House and Senate negotiators' report accompanying the appropriations bill said conferees concur with requirements stated by the House with regard to cruise missile defense.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Henry "Trey" Obering, director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), told Aviation Week that the time is right for the agency to begin taking over technical matters related to cruise missile defense.

The Pentagon had shied away from adding to MDA's duties, as it was focused on improving BMDS after a string of test failures. But Obering claimed that the maturity of BMDS is sound, and he's ready to apply some of the fire control and other processes used elsewhere to the issue of countering proliferating cruise missiles.

But not everyone agrees. Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.), House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee chair, told reporters that Democrats still intend to run herd over the agency.

"MDA is an agency that needs some adult supervision," the defense authorizer said last week after appropriations were hammered out.

Tauscher said the armed services must increasingly be brought into MDA's efforts so they take ownership over BMDS elements and consequently advocate for them. Meanwhile, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council should be far more involved in guiding the unique agency, she said.