Today, the House passed HASC member Rep. Jackie Walorski’s (R–IN) bill to temporarily block all Guantanamo Bay detainee transfers. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said the following upon its passage:“This week, the American people got further evidence that despite President Obama’s assurances, terrorists he released from Guantanamo Bay have returned to t... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) released the following schedule featuring two (2) hearings the week of September 19-23, 2016.Wednesday, September 21, 2016 "15 Years after 9-11: The State of the Fight Against Islamic Terrorism” Full Committee (10:00 AM - 2118 Rayburn - OPEN)Witnesses:The Honorable James Jeffrey Former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Iraq Lieutenant Colon... Read More »
Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following remarks on North Korea's nuclear weapons test:"North Korea’s fifth nuclear weapons test – its second this year— is a stark reminder of the threat posed by a lawless regime. Furthermore, North Korea has also conducted a record level of ballistic missile tests this year, including an apparently succ... Read More »
In remembrance of the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001, Chairman Thornberry made the following remarks:"Fifteen years ago, our nation was brutally attacked. Today, we look upon the hallowed grounds of that day and remember those we lost and those heroes who responded. We remember the men and women who have answered our nation’s call to serve and take the fight to our enemies across the globe... Read More »
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today commented on a Government Accountability Office Study into military readiness. The study found that "The military services have reported persistently low readiness levels, which they have attributed to emerging and continued demands on their forces, reduced force structure, and increased frequency and length of depl... Read More »
Defense readiness challenges are a major focus this year of the Committee’s oversight, as well as a major emphasis of the House-passed FY17 NDAA. The safety, security, and reliability of our nuclear weapons are no exception. Not only must Congress help ensure that the people who work in the nuclear enterprise are ready, lawmakers also have a responsibility to ensure that the tools and infrastructu... Read More »
Today, Rep. Joseph Heck (R-NV), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, made the following remarks on the hearing titled "Views on H.R. 4298: Vietnam Helicopter Crew Memorial Act and H.R. 5458: Veteran’s TRICARE Choice Act." For testimony and to watch the hearing live click here."Today the Subcommittee meets to hear testimony on two important but diverse subjects: ... Read More »
By TRAVIS J. TRITTEN | STARS AND STRIPES - 9.7.2016 Excerpts below.Troops will see yet another low pay raise next year if President Barack Obama has his way, but the president’s decision to limit an increase to 1.6 percent is not necessarily a done deal. The House is still pushing for a higher 2.1-percent raise, enough to keep servicemember pay in step with the private sector. This week, the House... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) released the following schedule featuring One (1) hearing the week of September 12-16, 2016.Wednesday, September 14, 2016“Next Generation Air Space Control—Ensuring Air Force Compliance by January 1, 2020” Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces (3:30 PM – 2118 Rayburn - OPEN) Witnesses: Major General Michael E. Fortney, USAF Vice ... Read More »
Today, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, made the following remarks on the Subcommittee's hearing titled “Deferred Maintenance in the Nuclear Security Enterprise: Safety and Mission Risk.” For testimony and to watch the hearing live click here. "Welcome to our hearing on 'Deferred Maintenance in the Nuclear Security Enterprise: Safety a... Read More »
Responding to an internal DOD memo obtained by POLITICO, Rep. Mac Thornberry, (R-TX) made the following statement:"It is unfortunate and rather sad that some in the Obama Administration spend so much time and effort playing political games, as evidenced by this memo. In a Department charged with the security of our nation, the American people and our troops deserve better.""Members of Congress in ... Read More »
Press reports continue to highlight readiness shortfalls in the realm of Navy and Marine Corps F-18 Hornet fighter aircraft. Fox News reported on the crisis in military aviation: F/A-18 Crashes Rise Rapidly As Budget Constraints Have Led To Overused Planes, Undertrained Pilots - Stars and Stripes - Tara Copp - 9.1.2016 A year ago, Navy and Marine Corps leaders gave a dire warning to Congress: Budg... Read More »
Today, the President announced that he will give the troops a 1.6% raise, which is below the 2.1% that is mandated by law and currently in the House passed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. Chairman Mac Thornberry had the following to say in regards to the President's decision:"Few people are more deserving of a full pay raise than our men and women in uniform. Yet, at the s... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) released the following schedule featuring two (2) hearings the week of September 5-9, 2016.Wednesday, September 7, 2016“Deferred Maintenance in the Nuclear Security Enterprise: Safety and Mission Risks” Subcommittee on Strategic Forces (3:30 PM – 2118 Rayburn - OPEN) Witnesses: Panel 1: Dr. Charlie McMillan Laboratory Director Los Alamo... Read More »
By Tim Connors - RealClearDefenseHighlights below, full piece here."David Petraeus and Michael O’Hanlon, both accomplished professionals, have reached the pinnacle of their respective career fields. General Petraeus led the “Surge” in Iraq, one of America’s greatest military achievements, while Dr. O’Hanlon was among the first scholars to recognize, against the judgment of his peers, that the “Sur... Read More »
