Defense

Thank you, Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member McGovern.

It is a pleasure to appear before the committee today in support of H.R. 4016, the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Defense Appropriations Act.  I know our time is relatively short, so I will try to be brief.

H.R. 4016 provides $831.5 billion for the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.  While this is flat relative to discretionary funds enacted in fiscal year 2025, coupled with the recently enacted reconciliation act, it provides nearly $1 trillion to modernize and sustain our armed forces.

First, I would like to thank Chairman Cole for his leadership and guidance as we have worked through a particularly challenging process this year, given the recent conclusion of the FY25 process and the continuing lack of a detailed defense budget request. 

I would also like to thank both Ranking Member McCollum and Ranking Member DeLauro for their continuing friendship and partnership of many years.

As our time is very short today, and everyone is tired, I will seek to be relatively brief.

The bill before us today reflects the resources needed to face the significant and proliferating threats challenging the United States and its interests. 

It is important to note that the nation’s critical interests are global. 

Chairman Calvert, thank you for all the work you have done to ensure leadership in America’s defense, and thank you to Ranking Member McCollum for her partnership in that endeavor. 

We hope for peace, while always being prepared to sustain it. 

That has always been the burden and the honor of a free nation – and generation after generation, our military has stood as the greatest force for liberty the world has ever seen.

We must never allow that posture to change, and the complex threat environment before us demands serious focus. 

Ample evidence of this fact can be found in each hemisphere.

Aggressive and malevolent regimes—such as those in China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—are not standing still. 

Thank you Chairman Calvert and Ranking Member McCollum. Welcome Secretary Hegseth and General Caine, and thank you for your service to our great nation. As today marks your first appearance before this subcommittee, I want to reaffirm my commitment to working with you to ensure a strong defense. We convene at a time of significant global uncertainty. The threats facing America are diverse and evolving – and demand a strong, agile, and effectively funded Department of Defense. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, my primary responsibility is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are allocated wisely and effectively to safeguard our security. 

Today, the Subcommittee will convene for an open oversight hearing to receive testimony regarding the Department of Defense from The Honorable Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mr. Secretary and General Caine, congratulations to you both on your new roles and welcome to your first hearing before the Subcommittee.  We look forward to working with you closely to provide for the common defense.