Cole Remarks at Budget Hearing on the United States Army (As Prepared)

Thank you, Chairman Calvert and Ranking Member McCollum. This hearing could not come at a more consequential time. The global security landscape has only continued to grow more complex and volatile. Among those challenges before us are ongoing operations in the Central Command theater, and a pacing threat in the Indo-Pacific that does not pause while our focus may be elsewhere.

Operation Epic Fury has proven that American military might is the strength freedom can count on. Our soldiers, weapon systems, and stockpiles must never be taken for granted – they are the foundation of our ability to sustain prolonged conflict while countering other threats across the globe. Make no mistake, China continues to modernize its military, expand its global influence, and assert its posture in the Indo-Pacific whether the United States is watching or not. 

The United States Army’s role in deterring this threat, and prevailing if deterrence fails, has never been more important.

Long-range precision fires provide us with the capability to strike with precision over vast distances and are a necessity if the United States is to maintain its competitive advantage against both peer and near-peer adversaries. I look forward to hearing how the Army is prioritizing the development and deployment of these capabilities to ensure overmatch.

Equally urgent is our ability to produce munitions and maintain inventory. Recent global conflicts stressed the importance of magazine depth, and Operation Epic Fury has stressed this even further. We cannot afford hollow magazines in a high-intensity, protracted conflict.

I hope to hear an honest assessment of where we stand today, and what investments the Army is making to bolster our readiness for both the near and long-term.

And to our troops – at home and abroad – we are grateful for your service, we are committed to ensuring you have what you need to succeed, and we will continue to back you with the full strength of the United States of America.

Thank you for being here, and I look forward to a productive discussion.