Chairman Thornberry's Opening Remarks

WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at the hearing entitled, "America's Role in the World." For testimony and other information and to watch the hearing click here.

Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following opening statement, as prepared for delivery, at the hearing entitled, "America's Role in the World." For testimony and other information and to watch the hearing click here.

"So far this year, the Committee has examined the state of the strategic environment in the world around us, as well as the current state of the U.S. military. We have examined specific security challenges such as cyber and nuclear deterrence. We have, of course, much more work to do before marking up this year's Defense Authorization Bill.

But today we step back to consider the bigger picture. The size and characteristics of the United States military should be related to the role we expect the United States to play in the world, which is the topic of today's hearing.

Let me read the opening words of the 2014 National Defense Panel Report. And for Members who were not here at the time, I might mention that the National Defense Panel was led by former Secretary of Defense William Perry and retired General John Abizaid and consisted of a bipartisan group of eight proven national security leaders. Their report started with the following:

'In the first half of the 20th century alone, the world experienced two devastating world wars, the rise of the Soviet Union as a totalitarian menace, and the advent of the nuclear age. This grim history and the threats to America and her interests following World War II prompted America's leaders to employ our extraordinary economic, diplomatic, and military power to establish and support the current rules-based international order that has greatly furthered global peace and prosperity and ushered in an era of post-war affluence for the American people.'

They go on:

'Since World War II, no matter which party has controlled the White House or Congress, America's global military capability and commitment has been the strategic foundation undergirding our global leadership.'

Debates in both parties have questioned whether the role America has played over the last 70 years should be reduced or otherwise changed. Few witnesses have thought more about these issues or could provide more thoughtful insights than those we are privileged to welcome today."