Rogers Opening Statement at Hearing on FY22 Budget Request for Army
Washington, DC,
June 29, 2021
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered the following opening statement at a hearing on the FY22 budget request for the U.S. Army. Ranking Member Mike Rogers' remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Wormuth and General McConville, thank you for being here today and for your service to our nation. This is our last posture hearing of the year. Each of these hearings have made one thing very clear – The President's defense budget is woefully inadequate. It falls far short of providing our warfighters the resources they need to carry out their mission. We've heard from the leaders of the other services about the sacrifices they are being forced to make as a result of this budget. Today, we'll hear the tole it's taking on the Army. It's not pretty. The President's top line for defense is forcing the Army to slash funding by nearly $4 billion. The Army is facing cuts of –
Like the leaders of the other services, Secretary Wormuth and General McConville have had to triage their limited budget allocation. They've decided to focus it on the Army's highest modernization priorities. There's no question that we need to make these investments. Doing so ensures we have the capabilities to win conflicts 10 to 20 years from now. But it also means there isn't sufficient funds for near-term capabilities. In fact, the Army has nearly $5.5 billion in unfunded priorities. The budget cuts procurement of critical vertical lift and ground vehicle programs. It buys fewer missiles and ammunition to replenish our arsenal. And it delays the modernization of existing assets, such as the Abrams tank. These cuts worsen current capability gaps. And I'm concerned it leaves the Army ill-equipped for a near-term conflict. Frankly, that's unacceptable. History has proven it's naïve to think we have decades to prepare for the next conflict. The fact is, the Army must be prepared at all times to fight and win a war against China, or any other adversary. That means our warfighters need the training and capability to win the fight tonight. I am very concerned this budget could leave the Army, and the rest of the services, unprepared to do just that.
|