Defense

The Subcommittee on Defense will come to order.

Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony on the posture of the United States Army.

First, I would like to welcome our two witnesses:

• Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, and
• General James McConville, the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Thank you for joining us. We look forward to your testimony.

The rise of China as a military and economic power has raised concerns about the potential for conflict and the need for the Army to maintain a credible deterrence posture. China is improving their military capabilities and their efforts to maintain a technological edge, particularly in the areas of munitions, missiles, and other ground combat systems.

The Defense Subcommittee will come to order.

Today, the Subcommittee will receive testimony from:

• the Honorable Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense;
• General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff;
• and Undersecretary Mike McCord, the Department's Comptroller and CFO.

The Department of Defense is requesting $825 billion within this subcommittee's jurisdiction. This is a modest increase from fiscal year 2023 levels, particularly as we enter the middle of a decisive decade for the security and prosperity of our nation and the world.

In many ways, the Biden Administration has put the United States at a serious disadvantage.