Congress has a unique and irreplaceable role in defending America

Chairman Thornberry Lays Out Agenda at AEI

Washington, DC, January 20, 2015
Washington -- Ahead of the State of the Union address, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) laid out his agenda for the Committee in the 114th Congress at the American Enterprise Institute. Additionally, the Chairman...
Ahead of the State of the Union address, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) laid out his agenda for the Committee in the 114th Congress at the American Enterprise Institute. Additionally, the Chairman sat down with Senator Jim Talent to discuss the proper role of Congress in national security policy-making, the need for a strong US military, and the importance of a reformed defense process that quickly and agilely meets the needs of America’s troops.

Watch the video of the speech here.

Key Excerpts:
… "The first, and I believe foremost, job of the federal government is to defend the country
and our people. And Congress has a unique and irreplaceable role in carrying out that duty.” …

“In Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, at least six specific duties were placed upon the
House and Senate. Through those authorities, Congress determines the size, shape, and
soul of the military. The President, then, determines how to use it.” …

“As long as I am privileged to hold this job, defense reform will be a priority – not for its
own sake, but for the sake of ensuring our military is as prepared as possible for the wide
array of threats we face today and for the unknown security challenges which confront us
tomorrow.”

Read Chairman Thornberry’s remarks here.