Kelly Opening Statement at Fy22 Ndaa Markup

Washington, DC, September 1, 2021
U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, delivered opening remarks at the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) markup.

Rep. Kelly's remarks as prepared below:
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opening remarks and your leadership in putting together this year's subcommittee markup package. I would like to commend our Members for their efforts and support in putting together this package in a bipartisan fashion.

Throughout our hearings and briefings, we have talked extensively about the malign actions of China and Russia, including a March hearing on "Disinformation in the Gray Zone". These aggressive tactics, encompassing offensive actions just below the threshold of armed conflict, are utilized by adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran to discredit and destabilize American interests. Our markup package continues to push reforms to provide Combatant Commanders the support they need.

One of the unique characteristics of Special Operations Command is their ability to rapidly design, prototype, and acquire resources for their unique mission sets. A key enabler to this has been the implementation of the 2020 Pilot Program for Development of Technology-Enhanced Capabilities with Partnership Intermediaries. This pilot program produced outstanding results for all stakeholders and I'm proud our subcommittee mark extends this program through the end of Fiscal Year 2025.

In my previous comments throughout the summer and during our subcommittee markup, I highlighted my concerns for the security situation in Afghanistan post withdraw. My concerns have now grown into complete dismay towards the abject failure of this Administration to ensure a controlled withdraw and continued security mission within the region. We've been asking for months for greater detail on the so called "over the horizon" capability the Administration has touted. It is now clear this strategy was completely inept from the beginning. As it stands today, we no longer have an embassy in Afghanistan and no presence to facilitate counter-terrorism operations. However, this committee will not allow the weakness of this Administration to continue to place our citizens, allies, partners, and overall national security at risk.

When it comes to the disaster continuing to unfold in Afghanistan, we must focus on four distinct priorities:
  1. Force the Administration to provide a plan to get the rest of the Americans out of the country;
  2. Determine the extent of weapons and equipment that was left behind;
  3. Deny funds for the Taliban; and
  4. Inhibit recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government.
In closing, I would like to thank the efforts of our great subcommittee support staff. Today's markup would not be possible without the help from our professional staff members – Patrick Nevins, Shannon Green, Jessica Carroll – and our subcommittee clerk, Zach Taylor.

Thank you to our Members and staff for their diligent work thus far and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure ISO equities are represented throughout the NDAA process.

Mr. Chairman, I yield back.