Lamborn Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Fy23 Markup

Washington, DC, June 8, 2022

U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, delivered the following opening statement at the subcommittee markup for H.R. 7900 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The Subcommittee's mark is available here.

Rep. Lamborn's remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mr. Chairman, thank you.

It's been a busy year for the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. I would like to start my remarks by noting that this will be the last NDAA markup for my friend and colleague Jim Cooper.

As usual you've put together a strong subcommittee mark, and I have no doubt that the Chairman's mark will have your thumb-print on it as well. I'd like to thank you for the years of dedicated service you've provided on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee and for the way in which you have approached the job of Chairman and Ranking Member. You always bring a no-nonsense and intellectually honest approach to your work, which has been appreciated and will be missed. I have no doubt that even from the comfort of retirement you will keep us honest, and continue diligently monitoring the progress made by our newest service and one of your most significant contributions to our military – the Space Force.

Under your leadership, we've been one of the most bipartisan subcommittees. The members of our subcommittee get credit for this remarkable transition, but a lot of it can also be attributed to the likes of Xi, Putin, and Dear Leader. Nothing quite crystalizes the mind like strategic nuclear breakout by the Chinese Communist Party or the Russians having an explosion of their nuclear-powered cruise missile, otherwise known as the "road-mobile flying Chernobyl." Whenever there is a desire to rollback homeland missile defense, North Korea decides that is time for an ICBM test. And just in the last year, we have seen a destructive Russian ASAT test and a Chinese demonstration of a satellite with grappling capability. We still have a lot of work to do in order to stay ahead of these threats.

Thank you again for your service and friendship Mr. Chairman. As the Subcommittee puts together its mark next year I hope, and expect, that we will hear from you. Your thoughts and inputs will always be valued.

With that I yield.