WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released this statement following the launch of a long-range missile by North Korea on Wednesday:

“Yesterday, North Korea tested a long-range missile, the Hwasong-15, which reportedly can strike the entire U.S. homeland.  It is only a matter of time before North Korea can integrate a nuclear warhead onto this missile and others in its arsenal.  I hope nations around the world will unite behind the U.S. campaign to pressure the North Korean regime.  Congress should also act quickly to fund national defense, which would include the President’s $4 billion emergency request for missile defense.”