Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will deliver remarks at the National Press Club on January 13, 2016, outlining his agenda for the year ahead and assessing the State of the Union Address. Following his remarks, the Chairman will take questions. Who: Chairman Thornberry What: National Security Agenda and Comments on the State of the Union Where: National P... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) released the following schedule featuring (4) hearings the week of January 11-15, 2016: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 “Outside Views on the U.S. Strategy for Iraq and Syria and the Evolution of Islamic Extremism” Full Committee (10:00 AM – 2118 Rayburn – Open) Witnesses: Mr. Michael J. Morell Former Acting Director of the Central Intelligen... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) released the following schedule featuring (2) hearings the week of January 4-8, 2016. Thursday, January 7, 2016 “Acquisition Reform: Experimentation and Agility” Full Committee (10:00 AM – 2118 Rayburn – Open) Witnesses: Lieutenant General Michael E. Williamson, USA Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acqui... Read More »
Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following comments regarding Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s improper use of personal email to conduct official business: "I am aware that Secretary Carter has admitted to improperly using personal email to conduct government business. I believe that it would be appropriate for him to ask for the DOD Insp... Read More »
"You've got to obey the laws, even if you're the president, even if it's inconvenient..." Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee on Fox News. Watch the full clip here. "The five Taliban leaders, held at the military prison in Cuba, were informed that they were being released two days before the administration told Congress..." Los Angeles Times "The report found... Read More »
“You've got to obey the laws, even if you're the president, even if it's inconvenient...” - Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) MYTH: The Report doesn’t identify any statements Pentagon officials made to Congress that were incorrect or misleading.- Lt. Col. Joe Sowers, DOD Spokesman - Wall Street Journal,12.10.15 FACT: Senior DOD officials failed to inform Congress about negotiations related to the Taliban... Read More »
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, and House Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen released the following statement today: “Today, the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Appropriations Committee establishe... Read More »
Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, released the Committee’s report on the illegal transfer of 5 Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay (GTMO). The entire report can be read here. The Chairman made the following remarks upon its release: "In May 2014, Presid... Read More »
"...A really important report [that] dives into detail about a very controversial episode..." reported MSNBC's Kelly O'Donnell today. Click here for the full segment.House Republicans Denounce Obama’s Handling of Prisoner Exchange New York Times - Charlie Savage - 12.9.15 After months of secret talks in early 2014 on a potential deal to swap five Taliban detainees at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, for a ca... Read More »
The law requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress “not later than 30 days before the transfer or release of detainees" from GTMO. According to the HASC report, here are just some of the missed opportunities to comply with the letter or even the spirit of the law before the Taliban Five were transferred on May 31st, 2014: 102 Days before the Transfer, when on February 18th, e-mails were ... 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 "Concurrent Receipt of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC):" "We are here today to hear from military and veterans service organizations on the significant policy and financial issues that are associated wi... Read More »
Today, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, made the following opening statement on the hearing, "Game Changing Innovations and the Future of Surface Warfare :" "Today the subcommittee meets to discuss innovations that could 'change the game' for the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet. Joining us today are two thought leaders in the area of surface warfa... Read More »
Today, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, made the following remarks on the hearing titled “Prompt Global Strike: American and Foreign Developments:” "I call this hearing of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee to order and I welcome our panel of distinguished guests to our hearing “Prompt Global Strike: American and Foreign Developments”. ... Read More »
