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 »
Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following remarks on the Army's unveiling of a Rapid Capabilities Office:"The Army’s emphasis on getting new technologies into the hands of our troops faster is commendable, and we appreciate the Service’s willingness to work closely with the Armed Services Committee on this critical issue. The push to fund... Read More »
The worst-kept secret in Washington is out: Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday said it is his “hope and expectation” that President Obama will close the military detention center at Guantanamo Bay before leaving office in January. Rep. Mac Thornberry, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following comments in response to this announcement: "The only people who want to bring t... Read More »
Contact: Claude Chafin (Armed Services Committee) Claude.Chafin@mail.house.gov Jack Langer (Intelligence Committee) Jack.Langer@mail.house.gov Jennifer Hing (Appropriations Committee) JHing@mail.house.gov CONGRESSIONAL TASK FORCE ON CENTCOM RELEASES INITIAL REPORTA Congressional joint task force (JTF) investigating allegations of intelligence manipulation at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) release... Read More »
By Chirman Mac Thornberry Excerpts Below - Full Piece Here in RealClearDefense"Khizr Khan’s remarks about his son’s service in Iraq at the Democrat National Convention last month have provoked a national conversation about military service, sacrifice, and what it will take to keep America safe in the years ahead.There is never enough honor we can show to the families of those whose loved ones have... Read More »
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement: "I am dismayed at the attacks Khizr and Ghazala Khan have endured after they spoke about their son's service and sacrifice. There is never enough honor we can show to the families of those whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Service to our country is above politi... Read More »
On Monday, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will host an "off camera" press round table to discuss his recent trip to Afghanistan and Iraq and the readiness issues facing the military. The round table will be open to Capitol Hill credentialed media. To attend please RSVP to Nick Mikula at nick.mikula@mail.house.gov.WHO: Chairman Thornberry WHEN: Monday, J... Read More »
Today, Chairman Mac Thornberry, of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement in memory of Committee member Rep. Mark Takai of Hawaii who passed away. “Representative Takai was a committed and hard working member of the Committee. His tireless efforts to represent the significant military presence on Hawaii will be greatly missed. My prayers go out to his family and the peopl... Read More »
The House Armed Services Committee will have no public events from July 18 - September 2. The Committee continues to work diligently on conferencing the defense bill. 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 “President Obama’s Nuclear Deterrent Modernization Plans and Budgets: The Military Requirements.” For testimony and to watch the hearing live click here."Welcome to our hearing on 'President Obama’s Nuclear Modernization Plans and Bu... 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 joint hearing titled "Naval Dominance in Undersea Warfare ." For testimony and to watch the hearing click here. "I want to welcome all of our members and the distinguished panel of Navy leaders for today’s hearing.We have testifying ... Read More »
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) released the following schedule featuring Four (4) hearings the week of July 10-16, 2016.Wednesday, July 13, 2016“Air Dominance and the Critical Role of Fifth Generation Fighters” Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces (2:00 PM – 2212 Rayburn - OPEN) Witnesses:General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, USAF Commander Air Combat Command"O... Read More »
