Calvert Remarks at FY26 Defense Member Day Hearing

Today, the Subcommittee will hold an open hearing, in which all Members of the House have been invited to testify on their priorities for the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.

The Subcommittee receives thousands of Member requests per year.  Ranking Member McCollum and I take requests from both sides of the aisle very seriously.  

We also take our constitutional responsibility to provide for our Nation’s defense seriously as well. 

As we are all well aware, the world is in chaos.  China is increasingly aggressive by the day as it continues to act as a bully in the Indo–Pacific.  The war in Ukraine continues.  Israel remains under threat from Iranian proxies and continues to recover following a brutal, unprovoked attack by the terrorist group Hamas. 

Therefore, it is vital that the United States have the capabilities and capacity to respond to those who wish us harm.  While I recognize that we still must complete our work on Fiscal Year 2025, we must also begin to lay the foundation for the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act in order to respond to these threats. 

Again, I am hopeful we can soon complete the Fiscal Year 2025 bill and build upon the great work this Subcommittee has put into delivering that product.  We must continue to find ways we can work together to increase efficiencies within the Department of Defense, invest and innovate in the capabilities our servicemembers need, and provide them the quality of life they deserve. 

I thank the Members who are here to provide testimony in support of these goals. 

I now recognize the distinguished Ranking Member, Ms. McCollum, for her opening remarks.