U.S. Representative Michael Waltz (R-FL), Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on the current state of military readiness and how the Fiscal Year 2024 budget request will support military training, weapon systems maintenance, and efforts to meet full spectrum readiness requirements in alignment with the National Defense Strategy.
Rep. Waltz's remarks as prepared for delivery:
There is a lot to discuss today and a whole host of issues to be addressed as it pertains to each Service's military readiness. Pilot shortages, recruiting and retention challenges, weapons system sustainment, and infrastructure restoration are just a handful of important topics.
I would also like to highlight the detriments of operating under a continuing resolution. Without an on-time budget, the Department is unable to begin any new projects and must operate under the previous fiscal year's budget numbers. I would ask the witnesses to elaborate on these effects during their comments as well.
I remain concerned with this Administration's focus on climate change as a national security priority. In fact, the Secretary of the Navy recently stated that climate change is a top priority of his. I'm supportive of efforts to increase resiliency, but climate change policies cannot be an end to itself that ignore operational realities.
The family feud within the Department of the Navy with regards to amphibious ships is very evident in this year's budget request. In fact, the Marine Corps' #1 unfunded requirement is a ship for the Navy. Years of delayed maintenance due to high operational tempo has gutted the readiness of amphibious ships. This has led to delayed deployments for ARG-MEUs and decreased capacity when the ships are at sea. ARG-MEUs provide a persistent presence that is critical to regions like INDOPACOM. I remain baffled as to why these problems persist.
I applaud force modernization efforts taking place across the services, like the Army's ReARMM and the Marine Corps' Force Design 2030. I am, however, concerned about the timelines associated with these efforts. The China threat is blinking red and the intelligence community warns of threat timelines in 2027. I'm eager to hear how the services have revised and accelerated these modernization plans to appropriately counter China's ambitions.
Taking care of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Guardians is the utmost responsibility of all of us here in this room. Service leadership continuously touts "people first", but I remain skeptical of this being put into practice when I look at the status of our barracks and housing. The condition of some of this housing is astounding. It no doubt effects retention. We must provide safe barracks and housing that puts our servicemembers' welfare first.
Thank you to our witnesses for being here today and I look forward to your testimony.
