Opening Statements

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement at the Committee's FY21 Navy and Marine Corps posture hearing:

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I join you in welcoming our witnesses today and thanking each of them for their service and their many contributions to the country's defense."

"As the Chairman referenced there was considerable conversation yesterday with the Secretary and the Chairman about Navy shipbuilding. It was interesting to me, one of the benefits the Chairman and I have is we get to be here from the beginning to the end of these hearings. While there was a lot of concern about this year's budget, as the conversation evolved there seemed to be more questions about, ‘OK, where's the Navy headed' in a longer-term sense. Not just numbers of ships, but characteristics of ships and capabilities and so forth. I do think Members are interested to get that, sort of, ‘where we're headed' and that will enable us to do a better job, not only this year but in the future."

"Similarly, reference was made to potential changes coming to the Marine Corps. I think while we will focus, of course, on this year's budget, as the Chairman referenced; changes in warfare moving from as much emphasis on counter terrorism toward great power competition means that all the services will have to make some changes. Maybe your two as much as any."

"So we look forward to hearing from you and, again, thanks for being here."