Contact: Josh Holly; 202.226.3988
Saxton Opening Statement on the Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected Vehicle Program
Washington D.C. -- Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), senior Republican on the Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, today released the following opening statement for the joint hearing of the Air and Land Forces Subcommittee and the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee regarding the Mine-Resistant, Armor-Protected (MRAP) vehicle program:
“I too would like to thank our chairmen for having this important hearing today. Most of the highlights have already been hit so I’ll be brief.
“To our witnesses on both panels, thank you for being here. This is an important subject and the testimony you are about to provide will assist us in determining how best to proceed with providing the necessary Congressional oversight of the MRAP program.
“At the end of the day, we need to know the following:
Ø “Is the recent decision to down-select from five to three vendors in the best interests of our warfighters?
Ø “Is the defense industrial base postured to meet the current requirement of approximately 15,000 MRAP vehicles and by when?
Ø “What are the potential bottlenecks that we can help alleviate? And finally,
Ø “Have we provided you with the necessary funding, in a timely manner, to execute all of the above?
“Again, I want to thank all of you for your service to our country. Thank you for being here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
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