By J. Randy Forbes and Michael W. Wynne April 28, 2016 7:04 p.m. ETDuring his long tenure at the Pentagon, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates made many good decisions that helped soldiers and enhanced U.S. security. But his choice to truncate the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor program at 187 jets was an exception. With threats to American air superiority growing, it is time for Congress to consider r... Read More »
As the House Armed Services Committee met to consider the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Marine Corps Times published a compelling report detailing the tremendous stress on Marine Corps Aviation. As the story below illustrates, extended repairs and repeated deployments leave too few aircraft available to train Marine Aviators, resulting in a force that is less prepared to fight. T... Read More »
Traveling in Europe, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter today criticized House Armed Services Committee efforts to restore military readiness by using contingency funding to restore training, maintenance, and weapons replacement accounts cut by the President. According to Breaking Defense Secretary Carter said of the HASC plan, “In addition, the proposal is take the money out of the wartime funding ... Read More »
On the heels of congressional testimony from top military leaders voicing concerns about the readiness of the Armed Forces, The Hill highlights some of the progress countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are making to close the defense capabilities gap with the United States. These capabilities are what American senior commanders refer to as the “high-end fight” against near-peer comp... Read More »
Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following comments after Committee passage of the 2017 NDAA with a bipartisan vote of 60 to 2:"It is encouraging that for the 55th straight year, this Committee can come together, work through difficult issues, and pass a defense policy bill that supports our servicemembers and our national security. In some ways, this... Read More »
Today, Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX), of the House Armed Services Committee, made the follow opening remarks on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Markup for Fiscal Year 2017. For the mark text, bill summary and to watch the markup live click here. "Today, the Committee meets to mark up the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Bill.We all take pride in the fact that for 54 s... Read More »
Today, Chairman Thornberry released his proposal for H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017. To view the bill text click here. For the bill summary click here. The Chairman made the following remarks on the Marks release:"The National Defense Authorization Act is the primary way Congress meets its most important constitutional obligation -- 'to provide for the commo... 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 markup. For the text of the mark and to watch the markup click here."Before getting into the details of the Mark, I want to start off by thanking my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Cooper. We have traveled together to see Fr... Read More »
Today, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, made the following remarks on the Subcommittee's markup. For text of the mark and to watch the markup click here. "I am very pleased to welcome everyone here today for the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities Mark Up for the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authoriza... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) released the following markup schedule for the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).The Committee will meet to mark up the legislation, H.R. 4909 the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017, which authorizes funding for military activities of the Department of Defense, military construction, defense... Read More »
Today, Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's markup. For text of the mark and to watch the markup click here. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you to the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness mark-up for H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization A... Read More »
Today, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, made the following remarks on the subcommittee's markup. For the text of the mark and to watch the markup click here. "Today we meet to present and discuss the Seapower and Projection Forces mark to the subcommittee.I am pleased with everything that the members and staff of this Su... Read More »
Today, Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, made the following remarks on the Subcommittee's markup. For the text of the mark and to watch the markup click here. "The Subcommittee meets today to markup H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017.I want to thank the Ranking Member and all of the mem... Read More »
Today, Rep. Joseph Heck (R-NV), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, made the following remarks on the Subcommittee's markup. To view the mark and watch the markup click here."Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Military Personnel Subcommittee, of the House Armed Services Committee, mark-up for H.R. 4909—the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 20... Read More »
Led by Chairman Joe Heck (R-NV) and Ranking Member Susan Davis (D-CA), the Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee for Military Personnel today released their proposals for the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Subcommittee will meet at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, April 20th in Rayburn 2212. The markup will be webcast on the committee’s YouTube page. The Military Personne... Read More »
