U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, demanded Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) Commander, Gen. James Dickinson, comply with the House Armed Services Committee's requests for transcribed interviews and documents related to USSPACECOM headquarters and mission requirements. Secretary Kendall and General Dickinson have failed to adequately respond to repeated Congressional oversight requests.
In the letter, Chairman Rogers wrote, "Your refusal to abide by the Committee's repeated requests for responsive documents and transcribed interviews can only be considered obfuscation and purposeful delay, highlighted by the fact that the basing decision was decided while the Committee's requests are outstanding. This is unacceptable."
Chairman Rogers continued, "It now appears you have something to hide, otherwise a forthright response to the Committee's patient and numerous requests would have already come. If you fail to adequately respond, I will be forced to seek a subpoena for the relevant documents we have requested on multiple occasions, and to seek your compelled appearance."
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Secretary Kendall and General Dickinson:
Once again, I am in receipt of materials purportedly addressing the Committee's request for a variety of documents related to changes in U.S. Space Command's (USSPACECOM) headquarters and mission requirements. Regrettably, this most recent document production remains unresponsive to the Committee's multiple requests.
This is now the fifth request for documents related to USSPACECOM's mission or headquarters requirements. You have also failed to respond to the Committee's request to schedule transcribed interviews of each of you by August 18, 2023.
Your refusal to abide by the Committee's repeated requests for responsive documents and transcribed interviews can only be considered obfuscation and purposeful delay, highlighted by the fact that the basing decision was decided while the Committee's requests are outstanding. This is unacceptable.
It now appears you have something to hide, otherwise a forthright response to the Committee's patient and numerous requests would have already come. If you fail to adequately respond, I will be forced to seek a subpoena for the relevant documents we have requested on multiple occasions, and to seek your compelled appearance.
Please provide a timeline to deliver responsive documents and finalize logistics for the requested transcribed interviews no later than August 9, 2023, to allow all parties adequate time to prepare.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. The Committee on Armed Services, under Rule X, clause 1 of the Rules of the House of Representatives (House Rules), maintains oversight jurisdiction over the Department of Defense generally. Moreover, under the House Rules, the Committee on Armed Services derives its authority to conduct oversight from, among other things, clause 2(b)(1) of Rule X (relating to general oversight responsibilities), clause 3(b) of Rule X (relating to special oversight functions), and clause 1(b) of rule XI (relating to investigations and studies).
Sincerely,
