Cmte Armed Services (R) RSS Articles

Chairmen of Senate and House Armed Services Committees Release Statement Ahead of President Trump's Meeting With NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement ahead of the April 8 meeting with President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"We welcome NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s visit to Washington. We look forward to hearing how allies are implementing their historic commitment, driven by President Trump, to spend 5% of GDP on defense and what more they will do to respond to Iran’s threats. We are also interested in hearing about any positive developments in the UK-led effort to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Free passage and commerce are vital to our shared security and prosperity.

"While some allies, including Spain, have not fully stepped up, Operation Epic Fury has benefited significantly from the critical support of the vast majority of our NATO allies. A strong NATO remains firmly in the U.S. interest. As Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea increasingly work together to undermine our security, we must continue working with our allies to guarantee their failure."

Chairmen of Senate and House Armed Services Committees Praise President Trump's $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Topline

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement praising President Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027:

“President Trump’s budget release marks a historic $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal, fulfilling his promise to the American people to deliver peace through strength and restore the United States as a manufacturing power. This funding will ensure our military remains the most advanced in the world, supporting an unparalleled force capable of defending our interests in the 21st century.

“America is facing the most dangerous global environment since World War II. Growing threats from adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Islamic radicals, and narco-terrorists require decisive action and renewed urgency to reinvest in our defenses. This bold commitment provides the resources needed to rebuild American military capability and confront those challenges head-on.

“These funds will drive the U.S. toward a defense budget of 5 percent of GDP–a benchmark we have long supported as necessary to maintain our national defense. President Trump is also sending a clear signal for our allies and partners to build on recent progress and meet this benchmark alongside us.

“As Chairmen of the Armed Services Committees, we are committed to working with the president and our colleagues to pass this budget into law and continue rebuilding American military superiority.”

For the full budget request, click here.
For the topline fact sheet summary, click here.
For the DoD budget request, click here.

Chairman Rogers Opening Statement on the ALERT Act Markup

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, delivered the following remarks on the full committee markup of H.R. 7613 — The ALERT Act.

For the full text of the ALERT Act, click here.
For a section-by-section summary, click here.

Chairman Rogers' Statement As Prepared For Delivery:

Today, we are meeting to mark up the portion of the ALERT Act under HASC’s jurisdiction.

It is uncommon for HASC to mark up legislation outside of the NDAA .

But this is critically needed legislation to improve aviation safety, and it cannot wait.

Last year’s midair collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger jet on approach to Reagan National should not have happened.

The NTSB completed its investigation last month, and its report included 13 recommendations to the Army and the Pentagon to ensure another tragedy like this does not happen again.

Title II of the ALERT Act carries out all 13 of these recommendations.

In fact, the NTSB states that the bill before us not only meets their recommendations but, in most cases, exceeds them.

For instance, the NTSB made several recommendations to the Army to improve its training and safety management system.

The ALERT Act requires all the military services to make these safety improvements. Not just the Army.

The ALERT Act also addresses concerns raised by the Department of War with the bill that passed the Senate.

The bill before us ensures our bombers, fighters, and other classified aircraft can continue to execute their critical national security missions without revealing their location to our enemies.

Improving aviation safety and protecting our national security are not mutually exclusive.

By taking our time and following regular order, we have produced a bill that does both.

I thank the NTSB and the Pentagon for working with us throughout this process.

I also want to thank Chairman Graves and Ranking Members Larsen and Smith, as well as the staff on both committees, for their hard work.

Finally, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those lost in this terrible accident.

And I thank the PAT Two-Five and Flight 5342 families for their tireless efforts to ensure a tragedy like this never occurs again.

Bacon: Our Military's IT Has Never Been More Important

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on the Department of Defense's progress on cybersecurity and efforts to strengthen the security and performance of the Department's digital infrastructure.

Rep. Bacon's Statement As Prepared For Delivery:

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to today’s hearing on the information technology posture of the Department of Defense.

To edit a quote from Don Rumsfeld—you fight with the network you’ve got.

We conduct command and control with the networks we have.

We pay our warfighters with the business applications we have.

We plan and conduct operations on the desktops and laptops that we have.

We fight at the speed of data, and the underlying IT has never been more important.

What I want to hear today is simple—what is the state of these critical IT networks?

I am interested in hearing more about the Department’s plans to modernize our networks, provide access to secure cloud environments at all security levels, and ensure the cybersecurity of our DOD and industrial base assets.

While we will be addressing DOD’s major artificial intelligence developments at the upcoming Research and Engineering posture hearing, it is critical to note that none of that technology works without the foundation provided by IT.

If the networks don’t work, nothing else will.

With that, we’re joined today by Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Ms. Kirsten Davies, who joined the Department from industry in December.

She brings two decades of experience leading large-scale cybersecurity and enterprise technology efforts for major global companies.

Ms. Davies, thank you for being here and for your willingness to serve.

Chairman Rogers And Ranking Member Smith Praise Committee Passage of Air Safety Bill

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statements applauding committee passage of H.R. 7613, the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act.

For a full overview of the ALERT Act’s Title II provisions, click here.

For more information on Title I of the ALERT Act, visit the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s resources here.

“We owe it to the victims of last year’s tragedy and to their families to take action to ensure that this never happens again,” Chairman Rogers said. “The ALERT Act takes a comprehensive approach by fully implementing all of the NTSB recommendations, strengthening coordination in our nation’s airspace, and addressing critical national security concerns. I’m proud of the Armed Services Committee’s work and our partnership with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to deliver real solutions. I look forward to this legislation advancing with the support of my colleagues so we can get it across the finish line and make our skies safer for everyone.”

“The loss of 67 lives over the Potomac last year was a devastating tragedy made all the worse because it was 100 percent preventable,” Ranking Member Smith said. “The collision highlighted longstanding systemic failures in how civilian and military aircraft operate in shared airspace, and we have seen multiple incidents since that fateful day that further demonstrate a continued lack of coordination between the FAA and the Department of Defense. The ALERT Act is a meaningful step forward in addressing those fundamental flaws. I’m proud of the work of this committee in taking this important step to honor the lives lost that day. I am also thankful for the efforts of their loved ones, who have valiantly channeled their grief into action to ensure this never happens again.”

Background:

The ALERT Act was developed in response to the fatal 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport involving a civilian aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Following a year-long investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued 50 safety recommendations to address the causes of the accident and strengthen aviation safety across the national airspace. The ALERT Act addresses all 50 of these concerns, and the Armed Services Committee’s provisions ensure that national security considerations are fully integrated into these reforms, protecting both military and civil future operations.

Critical safety improvements in Title II, the ALERT Act:

Requires fast adoption of collision prevention technology (ADS-B In) via tablets or standalone displays within one year of enactment for DOD aircraft, except fighters, bombers, and unmanned aircraft.

Requires DOD aircraft - except fighters, bombers, and unmanned aircraft - to have fully integrated collision prevention technology (ADS-B In) by December of 2031.

Requires the broadcast of ADS-B Out as the default practice for all DOD rotary wing aircraft.

Requires new or updated rotary wing aviation safety management systems in each military department.

Requires DOD to establish new flight data monitoring programs and training based on real-world data.

DesJarlais: Space-Based Capabilities Are the Backbone of Modern Military Power

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on the national security space programs and activities of the Department of Defense (DoD).

Rep DesJarlais’ Statement As Prepared For Delivery:

The Strategic Forces subcommittee meets today to receive testimony on the policies and programs related to national security space activities.

Good afternoon to our witnesses, and thank you for joining us today.

Before us we have:

Mr. Marc Berkowitz, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy,
Mr. Thomas Ainsworth, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration,
Mr. Brett Markham, Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency,
Mr. William Adkins, Principal Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office and,
Lieutenant General Douglas Schiess, the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, U.S. Space Force.

I believe this is the first time testifying for most of you, with the exception of Mr. Berkowitz – welcome back.

We appreciate all your time and your service.

Unfortunately, once again, we meet to review the department’s budget for space activities, but we do not have the President’s budget request for this fiscal year.

This lack of information makes our job that much harder.

Despite that, there are several topics we can discuss today that are central to how our national security space systems are currently performing, and how you all are working to make sure that both our space operators and the joint force have what they need to fight and win in space.

As we have seen recently in Iran, space has become instrumental to every conflict with both space effects and support to the joint force.

As CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper described it, the Space Force’s capabilities are “degrading Iranian capability, and....helping to protect American forces.”

Ukraine has also repeatedly shown us this same lesson, with jamming becoming routine and battle lines shifting as the availability of space-based communications changes.

All our space capabilities play a vital role when it comes to winning the fight.

Without Positioning, Navigating, and Timing (PNT), secure communications, or Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), our modern joint force would not be nearly as effective.

Furthermore, space-based effects and space weapons are needed to break red kill chains and defend our own space superiority.

When it comes to protecting the homeland, Golden Dome missile defense architecture has space at its center and is being developed by the Space Force’s own General Guetlein.

All these systems are going to require acquisition at speed, by committed and skilled professionals, who can then work with highly trained operators to deploy these new capabilities on a relevant timeline.

Mr. Ainsworth, I would like to hear from you how the department is balancing the natural tension between the desire to deploy capabilities as quickly as possible and the need to develop a robust, competitive, and innovative space industrial base.

Mr. Adkins, the NRO’s rapid deployment of a proliferated constellation has clearly proven that the government can move quickly when it chooses to.

I would like to hear what lessons we have learned and what you would do differently.

Lieutenant General Schiess, as the Space Force expands into these new mission areas that just five years ago would have been unheard of, how are you working to make sure we aren’t thinking about space operations the same way we always have?

How are we incorporating technology that allows each guardian to execute high-level strategy and not just follow a checklist?

Mr. Markham, how is NGA working with commercial companies to make sure that the combatant commands have not just exquisite intelligence, but also timely and actionable information?

Finally, Mr. Berkowitz, everything I’ve talked about is underpinned by our policies in space.

How the administration plans to normalize our approach to testing, training, and operations will be vital to an effective warfighting doctrine in and from space and, ultimately, our success in this domain.

Rogers: NATO Is Stepping Up, But U.S. Leadership In Europe Is Still Essential

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on the U.S. military posture and security challenges in Europe.

Chairman Rogers' Statement As Prepared For Delivery:

Today, we continue our posture hearings with EUCOM.

We meet at a critical moment.

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine continues.

The U.S. military is actively degrading Iran’s military capabilities and preventing the regime from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

And the Department remains laser-focused on defending the homeland and deterring China.

Managing these threats simultaneously will require a stronger NATO.

Fortunately, thanks to the leadership of President Trump, our Allies are beginning to step up.

And their commitment to spend 5 percent of GDP on defense by 2035 shows they are serious about assuming greater responsibility for their own defense.

But Europe’s rearmament will take time.

Fixing manpower shortages and restoring readiness will take time.

Building out the transatlantic defense industrial base will take time.

And developing or purchasing capabilities that today only the United States can provide will take time.

Yet, despite this reality, some within the Department are advocating for a premature and unwise reduction of U.S. forces in Europe and from NATO defense plans.

More troubling still, those same voices have not provided a credible roadmap for how such a transition would occur.

Nor have they defined what “critical but more limited” U.S. support actually means.

That is not a strategy for a stronger, more credible NATO.

It is a risk we should not take.

That is why last year’s NDAA mandates consultation with Congress before making any significant reduction in U.S. forces in Europe.

Because the overwhelming bipartisan and bicameral assessment is that a premature drawdown would create a dangerous deterrence gap and invite further Russian aggression.

In particular, as Europe rearms, the two rotational U.S. armored brigades in Poland remain a cornerstone of NATO’s conventional defense.

President Trump has been clear about the importance of maintaining that presence, even suggesting the United States could further bolster our posture there.

He’s right that those brigades must remain in place.

And I believe it is past time that we seriously consider permanently stationing them in Poland as well.

Moreover, those in the Department advocating for a premature reduction of U.S. forces in Europe are also ignoring that our posture there is about much more than defending Europe.

It helps defend the homeland forward.

And it gives the President more options to project combat power into other theaters, including CENTCOM, AFRICOM, and the Arctic.

Operations like MIDNIGHT HAMMER, and now EPIC FURY, make that clear.

Both are enabled by our presence in Europe and by the access, basing, and overflight permissions provided by our allies.

Just look at Romania.

Romania is allowing the United States to use two of its bases to support operations in the Middle East.

Think about that.

Even after we withdrew a U.S. brigade last year, Romania continues to open its facilities to American forces.

And they are not just providing access.

Romania has invested well over $2 billion to improve those bases and runways for American use.

This is exactly the kind of ally we should be deepening our engagement with, not prematurely stepping away from.

We also should not prematurely step away from Ukraine.

It is in the U.S. interest that a strong, well-armed, and independent Ukraine emerges from this war.

In fact, its innovative and battle-hardened forces are already degrading the threat Russia’s military poses to Europe’s conventional defense.

Kyiv is also demonstrating that this partnership is not a one-way street.

Ukrainian counter-drone teams and technology are now helping protect U.S. forces and partners in the Middle East from Iranian attacks.

Russia, meanwhile, is doing the exact opposite.

It is helping Iran refine its drone tactics and reportedly providing targeting intelligence to strike American troops.

It’s clear Putin is not our friend.

He is an adversary.

The temporary easing of Russian energy sanctions must indeed be temporary, as Secretary Bessent has pledged.

And if Putin continues to refuse to negotiate with President Trump in good faith, pressure on the Russian dictator must increase, including through the additional sanctions now being considered in Congress.

History has taught us this lesson again and again.

Vladimir Putin interprets a lack of American resolve as an opportunity.

We should not give him one—neither in Ukraine, nor in NATO.

Kelly: Sealift Capacity Is Critical To Sustaining America’s Military Advantage

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, delivered the following opening remarks at a joint subcommittee hearing on the posture of U.S. Transportation Command and the Maritime Administration in Fiscal Year 2027.

Rep Kelly's Statement As Prepared for Delivery:

Before we start, I’d like to take a moment and remember all the casualties from Operation Epic Fury, including the six fallen Airmen from last week’s tragic crash of Zeus 95.

Our thoughts go out to the family members — we mourn with you.

The KC-135 community is a large one, and this loss has reverberated across it.

Today, it is good to be back with our Readiness colleagues for another joint hearing.

Our topic is the posture and readiness of our mobility enterprise.

Thank you to my good friend, the Seapower Subcommittee Ranking Member Joe Courtney, as well as Readiness Subcommittee Chairman Jack Bergman and Ranking Member John Garamendi, for their collaboration on this critical, often-overlooked topic.

The United States Transportation Command and Maritime Administration – TRANSCOM and MARAD – provide vital logistics capabilities to support our force projection and help overcome the tyranny of distance.

It’s only getting harder to move and sustain our equipment and our people across these vast distances.

However, this mobility is the foundation of our ability to project peace through strength.

This challenge will require both organic and commercial logistics capabilities.

Within the Seapower jurisdiction, the subcommittee continues our strong support for the Tanker Security Program as well as the Maritime Security Program.

The FY25 NDAA strengthened these programs, and we stand by to provide any additional statutory changes that assure our access to critical sealift capacity for liquid and dry cargos on U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed commercial vessels.

But there is always more work to be done with regard to our ever-growing logistical challenges.

We have to grow the Tanker Security Program fleet to the 20 vessels that are authorized, and we need to increase the number of reps and sets we are getting to prepare to meet future needs.

We need to get the ship-to-ship refueling capability installed on these ships as soon as possible.

I was saddened by the reports that a TSP vessel was struck by Iranian projectiles while in a maintenance availability in Bahrain.

I look forward to an update on that vessel’s long-term status and efforts to grow the TSP fleet with more government cargoes.

For dry cargoes, we must have organic and commercial capability.

Recapitalizing our organic sealift fleet through a new build sealift program remains a top priority for both subcommittees.

Used, foreign-built ships are fine as a short-term bridge solution, but not in the long term.

I hope that our witnesses today may provide an update on the new build effort, including the design funded in FY24 and the path forward with the considerable funds provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Our mobility requirements extend beyond the surface of the world’s oceans.

We also cannot afford to reduce our air mobility.

Our strategic airlift, intra-theater airlift, and aerial refueling remain crucial enablers of our force projection.

These fleets are aging, and recapitalization efforts, like the KC-46, are challenged or still in the analysis stage.

We have seen in Operation Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury the pivotal role tankers play in operations, and we continue supporting an even higher number of tankers and the Next Generation Air Refueling System program.

We need more capacity across the board.

As we see the increasingly adversarial behavior of the PRC in the Indo-Pacific, it’s more important than ever that we are able to clearly and forcefully project American power across the globe.

TRANSCOM and MARAD are essential to this mission, and I look forward to today’s discussion of how we can meet these challenges and work together towards peace through strength.

Jackson: America Must Sustain And Strengthen Our Special Operations Forces

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on the U.S. Special Operations Forces and Command challenges and resource priorities in Fiscal Year 2027.

Rep Jackson’s Statement As Prepared for Delivery:

Today, we will hear from our witnesses on “U.S. Special Operations Forces and Command – Challenges and Resource Priorities for Fiscal Year 2027.”

The operations tempo for special operations continues to put demands on the force, even with the major force drawdowns from Iraq and Afghanistan almost five years ago.

Recent consolidation and downsizing of forces in Syria and Iraq bring only minor relief as our Special Operations Forces continue counterterrorism efforts against violent extremist organizations, military proxies, and non-state actors in both of those countries, as well as an increase of OPTEMPO on the continent of Africa.

Special Operators have adapted to meet the challenges of an evolving landscape of great power competition in every corner of the globe.

Our adversaries are using cutting-edge technology, economic incentives, and illicit activities to attempt to gain footholds in every Geographic Combatant Command’s area, and the battlefield has become increasingly contested and denied by the proliferation of peer adversary capabilities and malign influence.

All the while, our crisis response force has been called upon repeatedly over the past year to execute exquisite, challenging missions that only they can conduct.

Special operations continue to be our greatest hedge against strategic distraction, used to impose cost on our adversaries, reestablish deterrence, and provide the nation with a position of advantage should deterrence fail.

We ask a lot of our Special Operations Forces, and the demands on and for them will only continue to grow.

It is critical we provide you with the resources you need.

I was disappointed in the Fiscal Year 26 budget submission for SOCOM from the Department.

This committee worked diligently with SOCOM to provide critically needed resources to fill the gaps from over a decade of stagnant budgets through the reconciliation processes, only to then have the Department submit a budget with reductions to SOCOM, making the budget a wash and still flat.

I am, however, optimistic about President Trump’s direction for a significant increase in the Fiscal Year 27 Defense Budget and what this means to SOCOM.

I look forward to reviewing the budget and to putting SOCOM on a path of increases to get to a steady state of at least a $20 billion annual request submission.

We look forward to hearing how Congress can best support SOCOM such that you can continue to provide the high return on investment the Nation requires, while simultaneously modernizing for the challenges of the future.

Bergman: Congress Must Invest In Mobility To Meet Future Threats

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, submitted the following opening remarks for the record at a joint hearing on the posture of U.S. Transportation Command and the Maritime Administration in Fiscal Year 2027.

Rep Bergman's Statement Submitted for the Record:

I would like to welcome General Randall Reed, Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), and the Honorable Stephen Carmel, Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), and thank them for being here to discuss the readiness issues of our military forces.

Congratulations, Mr. Carmel, on your recent confirmation.

General Reed, I appreciate your recent visit to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan, one of six state-operated maritime academies.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest appreciation for the heroic efforts of our mobility forces operating in the CENTCOM AOR and acknowledge the tragic loss of the six KC-135 air men and women who lost their lives during combat operations against Iran.

We are in the midst of a readiness crisis.

There is an urgent need to recapitalize our rapidly aging strategic sealift and tanker fleet, especially as China’s shipbuilding capacity dwarfs our own.

I am eager to hear how MARAD intends to accelerate the modernization of these vessels, strengthen the Maritime and Tanker Security Programs, and address the shortage of qualified merchant mariners to ensure we have the capacity to move heavy forces, fuel, and supplies over vast distances.

TRANSCOM’s role is essential as we seek to overcome the tyranny of distance and provide adequate support to the warfighter in a contested logistics environment.

This tyranny of distance is no longer just a geographical challenge; it is a tactical vulnerability that our adversaries intend to exploit through cyber-attacks, anti-access/area-denial systems, and kinetic disruption.

In last year’s National Defense Authorization Act, TRANSCOM was designated, along with the Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as one of the senior officials responsible for the integration of global contested logistics posture management.

I look forward to hearing TRANSCOM’s strategy for managing this new responsibility, along with its current position as the single manager for global bulk fuel management and delivery.

Additionally, with the Defense Personal Property Program being transferred to the newly created Personal Property Activity, I hope this change will result in better outcomes for our service members undergoing a permanent change of station, and TRANSCOM can renew its focus on its core mission requirements.

I am also pleased that TRANSCOM submitted an unfunded priorities list last year, the first time in three years that it had done so.

I hope to see this trend continue for fiscal year 2027.

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses as to how TRANSCOM and MARAD can confront the myriad of challenges we face from adversaries across the globe, especially as we focus on near-peer competition in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

Military Department Personnel Chiefs: Personnel Posture

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Witnesses:

Lieutenant General Brian S. Eifler, USA

Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1

Lieutenant General Caroline Miller, USAF

Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel

Vice Admiral Jeffrey Czerewko, USN

Chief of Naval Personnel

Lieutenant General William Bowers, USMC

Deputy Commandant Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Ms. Katharine Kelley, USSF

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Personnel

Watch the Hearing Live Here:

Defense Intelligence Enterprise – Challenges, Priorities, and Resourcing for Fiscal Year 2027

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Witnesses:

The Honorable Bradley D. Hansell

Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security

Office of the Secretary of Defense

General Joshua M. Rudd, USA

Director, National Security Agency

Commander, United States Cyber Command

Lieutenant General Michele Bredenkamp, USA

Director

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Lieutenant General James H. Adams III, USMC

Director

Defense Intelligence Agency

Watch the Hearing Live Here:

FY27 Missile Defense & Missile Defeat Programs and Activities

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Witnesses:

The Honorable Marc Berkowitz

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy

Office of the Secretary of Defense

General Gregory Guillot, USAF

Commander

United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command

General Michael Guetlein, USSF

Direct Report Program Manager for Golden Dome for America

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Lieutenant General Heath Collins, USAF

Director

Missile Defense Agency

Lieutenant General Sean Gainey, USA

Commanding General

United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command

Watch the Hearing Live Here:

Military Readiness for FY27

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:30:00 GMT

WITNESSES:

General Christopher C. LaNeve
Vice Chief of Staff
United States Army

Admiral James W. Kilby
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
United States Navy

General John Lamontagne
Vice Chief of Staff
United States Air Force

General Bradford J. Gering
Assistant Commandant
United States Marine Corps

General Shawn N. Bratton
Vice Chief of Space Operations
United States Space Force

Watch the Hearing Live Here:

ALERT Act - Full Committee Markup

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:15:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) announced that the Committee will hold a full committee markup on Thursday, March 26, 2026, to consider the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act.

The ALERT Act was developed in response to the fatal 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport involving a civilian aircraft and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The comprehensive legislation addresses recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the wake of the crash.

"It's critical that we take action to improve air safety and prevent future tragedies and further loss of life," Chairman Rogers said. "The only way to do that effectively is to take a comprehensive approach, which is why the ALERT Act implements the NTSB's safety recommendations and addresses vital national security concerns, making our skies safer for everyone who flies."

Chairman Rogers' Opening Statement

Chairman Rogers & Ranking Member Smith Joint Press Release

H.R. 7613 — ALERT Act
Favorably reported the Bill as amended to the House by a vote of 53-0

Section by Section

Amendments:

En Bloc #1 - Passed by Voice Vote

Watch the Stream Live Here:

Subcommittee Hearing: Information Technology Posture of the Department of Defense

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Rep. Bacon's Opening Statement

Witness:

HON. Kirsten Davies

Chief Information Officer

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Watch the Stream Live Here:

POSTPONED - Subcommittee Hearing: "Changes at Military Treatment Facilities and the Effects on Military Readiness and Beneficiary Access"

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:30:00 GMT

This hearing has been postponed for a later date.

Witnesses:

The Honorable Keith Bass

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

Vice Adm. Darin Via

Director of the Defense Health Agency

Watch the Stream Live Here:

Subcommittee Hearing: "National Security Space Programs and Activities"

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Rep. DesJarlais Opening Statement

Witnesses:

The Honorable Marc Berkowitz

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Mr. Thomas W. Ainsworth

Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration

Department of the Air Force

Mr. Brett Markham

Deputy Director

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Mr. William B. Adkins

Principal Deputy Director

National Reconnaissance Office

Lieutenant General Douglas A. Schiess

Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations (S3/4/7)

U.S. Space Force

Watch the Stream Live Here:

"U.S. Special Operations Forces and Command – Challenges and Resource Priorities for FY27"

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Rep. Jackson's Opening Statement

Witnesses:

Admiral Frank M. Bradley, USN
Commander
United States Special Operations Command

The Honorable Derrick Anderson
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict
Office of the Secretary of Defense

Watch the Stream Live Here:

SPF/RDY Hearing: "Posture and Readiness of the Mobility Enterprise"

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Chairmen's Opening Statements:

Rep. Kelly's Opening Statement
Rep. Bergman's Opening Statement

Witnesses:

General Randall Reed, USAF
Commander, United States Transportation Command

HON Stephen Carmel
Administrator, United States Maritime Administration

Watch the Stream Live Here: