U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, 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. Kelly's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opening remarks and your leadership in organizing this morning's subcommittee markup. I would like to commend our Members for their efforts and support in putting together this subcommittee markup package in a bipartisan fashion.
There are many things to be proud of in this subcommittee markup package. In particular, the codification of US Special Operation Command's (SOCOM) 1202 authority is significant. This authority allows SOCOM to conduct irregular warfare operations – something we've seen as crucial to the current fight in Ukraine. The expansion of this authority is paramount in our ability to compete and win as we shift towards great power competition.
In this vein, the markup package directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict and the Commander of SOCOM to provide a report on how SOCOM's unique authorities of 127e and 1202 are tied into the operational plans of geographic combatant commands. If we are going to compete globally against our adversaries, it's vital we leverage all operational authorities and ensure they're appropriately aligned with our strategic and operational plans.
I would also like to acknowledge additional provisions within this package that support the transition of special forces soldiers from active duty to the National Guard, encourage increased partnership between SOCOM and Polish special forces, and support the continued use of commercial data while calling upon the Department of Defense to increase the availability of this data for units at all levels.
Unfortunately, I remain concerned about our force posture and counter-terrorism capabilities in Afghanistan. Last year's chaotic and failed withdraw from the country has handicapped our ability to maintain situational awareness of a degrading security and humanitarian environment.
Lastly, I would like to thank the efforts of our great support staff. Today's markup would not be possible without the help from our professional staff members – Patrick Nevins, Shannon Green, Craig Greene; our subcommittee clerk, Will Braden; and my personal office staff – Rodney Hall and Lauren Emmi.
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 during the full committee markup and throughout the NDAA process.
