Defense Drumbeat

Today, Chairman Thornberry (R-TX), of the House Armed Services Committee, made the following remarks reminding Congress of its Constitutional obligation:

"We must never forget that with any strategy, the heart of our nation's defense – our most valuable asset – remains the people who serve. It is morally wrong to send brave men and women out on missions under any strategy for which they are not fully trained, equipped and supported with the best that this country can provide. That support should not be conditioned on any other issue. And we can never forget that there is a real, human cost to failing to fully support them. Strategy is important, but nothing is more important for Congress than for us to do our job to support the men and women who protect us, fully and unconditionally."

Secretary Mattis echoed the Chairman's remarks:

"To advance the security of our nation, these troops are putting themselves in harm's way, in effect signing a blank check payable to the American people with their lives. They do so despite Congress' abrogation of its Constitutional responsibility to provide stable funding. Our military has been operating under debilitating continuing resolutions for more than 1,000 days during the past decade. These men and women hold the line for America while lacking this most fundamental Congressional support, a predictable budget"