Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, gave the following opening statement at the Committee's "Organizational Meeting for the 117th Congress."
Ranking Member Rogers at Organizational Meeting
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
It is an honor to lead Republicans on this committee.
I know we can continue the bipartisan tradition that has produced a defense authorization for each of the last sixty years.
This Congress must continue to address the threats posed by a rising China and a belligerent Russia.
Like many of our members, I see China's concerted push for global domination as a threat to all free nations.
America must engage with our allies and partners to defend ourselves from this growing threat.
But that engagement must be backed by credible and modern military power.
This means addressing gaps in our readiness and fielding next-generation capabilities faster than ever before.
Thankfully, we have some new talent coming on to help us in this endeavor.
We have nine new Republican members with a range of experience and interests.
- Mike Johnson - Represents the 4th district of Louisiana. His district is home to Barksdale Air Force and Fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center.
- Mark Green - Represents Tennessee's 7th District. He served 24 years in the Army, between the Academy, and as a physician on active-duty Army and Army Reserves.
- Stephanie Bice - Represents the 5th district of Oklahoma which is home to thousands of Oklahomans who work or serve at Tinker Air Force Base.
- Scott Franklin - Represents the 15th district of Florida. He served 26 years as a Naval Aviator, 14 on active duty, and 12 in the Naval Reserve.
- Lisa McClain – Represents Michigan's 10th district, home to the Selfridge Air National Guard base. She joins us after a very successful business career.
- Ronny Jackson – Represents the 13th district of Texas. He had a 25-year career in the Navy and led the White House Medical Unit as Physician to the President during the Obama and Trump Administrations.
- Jerry Carl – A former County Commissioner who represents Alabama's 1st district, home to some of our nation's critical shipyard industrial base.
- Blake Moore – Represents Utah's 1st district. He had a distinguished career in the foreign service before coming to Congress.
- Pat Fallon – Represent the 4th district of Texas. He served as an officer in the Air Force before becoming a successful businessman.
I welcome all of our new members and I look forward to working with each of you.
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