A review of transcripts from four Senate and House Armed Services Committee hearings suggests the following conclusions:

1. Support for national missile defense may remain strong, but that support is less intense than last year.

2. Some supporters of missile defense are arguing that homeland defense should be a higher priority than missile defense.

3. Missile defense is not a top priority for most Members of Congress.

4. Many Democrats who muted their criticisms of missile defense after the September 11 terrorist attacks are beginning to find their voices.