Nuclear Modernization Is Affordable And Critical "It's not an enormous part of our budget, but it is a critical part of our budget."Ash Carter, President Obama's Secretary of Defense, March 2016"[I]t is Essential to Recapitalize the Nuclear Triad" "I stated when I was Secretary of Defense and continue to maintain that it is essential to recapitalize the nuclear Triad, because it is the bedrock of ... Read More »
On Wednesday, the House Armed Services Committee will convene a hearing on Nuclear Deterrence Policy. Topics will range from the cost of maintaining and upgrading our nuclear arsenal, withdrawal from the INF Treaty, and a proposed No First Use Policy. Each of these controversial issues has been surrounded by myths and half-truths. Before the hearing begins, we should get to The Ground Truth:The IN... Read More »
Today, Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's hearing titled "Transgender Service in the Military Policy." "Thank you, Chairwoman Speier. "I wish to welcome both of our panels to today's hearing. "The House Armed Services Committee has tirelessly focused over... Read More »
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on efforts to eliminate North Korea's nuclear weapons program and the recent summit in Vietnam. "North Korea's nuclear and missile arsenal pose a threat to global security and to the American people and homeland. The Administration's diplomatic efforts, including its economic pressure cam... Read More »
Thornberry on Resolution of DisapprovalRep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on the resolution of disapproval of the President's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. "I believe that the security situation on the southern border is critical with circumstances that we have never had to address before. It ... Read More »
Today, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's hearing titled "Department of Defense Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Information Assurance Efforts." "Thank you Chairman Langevin. And welcome to our witnesses here toda... Read More »
Today, Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's hearing titled "INF Withdrawal and the Future of Arms Control: Implications for the Security of the United States and its Allies." "Thank you Mr. Chairman. I am honored to be serving as the Ranking Member on this su... Read More »
Today, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces titled "Naval Surface Forces Readiness: Are Navy Reforms Adequate?" "Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for calling this important hearing. I would... Read More »
Today, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Readiness titled "Naval Surface Forces Readiness: Are Navy Reforms Adequate?" "I thank the gentleman for yielding and I too want to thank Admiral Grady and Admira... Read More »
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on the President's signing of Space Policy Directive 4, a directive that centralizes military space activities in a new Space Force embedded within the Air Force. "This is an important next step towards real reform of national security space where we face real threats posed by Russia and ... Read More »
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on the President's apparent decision to declare a national emergency to provide additional resources for border security. "Each of the past five Administrations – Republican and Democrat – have sent military personnel and resources to our southern border. It should be clear to everyone th... Read More »
Members of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness hosted a roundtable today with military families who shared their experiences with privatized military housing. Recent reports from military families to the Committee and in the media have raised serious concerns about conditions in some military family housing. This was the third interaction Committee Members or staff have had with mil... Read More »
Today, Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's hearing titled "Overview of the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies."First, I wish to congratulate Rep Speier on becoming the new Chairwoman of the Military Personnel ... Read More »
Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement on the life and service of Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC). "Walter Jones' service to his country will be remembered for his dogged advocacy for his constituents, his love for the Marine Corps, his willingness to ask tough - even unpopular- questions, and his unflinching patriotism. He will be m... Read More »
Ahead of tomorrow's hearing on counterterrorism operations, it is important to review the rigorous, bipartisan oversight the House Armed Services Committee applies to these sensitive military operations. Concurrent with the Obama Administration's increased reliance on Counterterrorism Operations (CT) to combat al Qaeda and its affiliates, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) then Chairman of HASC's Intellig... Read More »
