U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, delivered the following opening statement at a hearing to review Department of Defense strategy, policy, and programs for countering weapons of mass destruction.
Rep. Kelly's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opening remarks and your leadership in organizing this morning's posture hearing. Today we will hear from four experts across the countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) portfolio.
I'm eager to get an update on the progress of the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program, especially the activities at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. This subcommittee is keenly interested in the certification of the static detonation chamber and ensuring the activities stay on schedule.
With regards to the threat environment, I look forward to getting an update on the capabilities of our adversaries – to include the usual bad actors of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea – as well as the various terrorist organizations and networks. The ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine continues to cause worry about the use of WMDs in the region.
Finally, I continue to be concerned about how the Biden Administration's budget will affect our overall CWMD preparedness. The ongoing use and threat of these weapons illuminate the direness of this problem; failing to properly invest in these resources will have grave consequences.
I want to thank our witnesses in advance for their time today. I look forward to continuing to work with our Counter WMD experts during the 117th Congress to ensure we are appropriately postured to meet and defeat the threats shaped by weapons of mass destruction.
