Armed Services GOP

🧵 THREAD: Chairman @RepMikeRogersAL lays out exactly why we need to commit to President Trump’s budget request for $1.5 trillion in defense spending. Read more: armedservices.house.gov/news/documents…

READ: Statement from Chairman @RepMikeRogersAL and Chairman @SenatorWicker of @SASCGOP on withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany. armedservices.house.gov/news/documents…

On Silver Star Service Banner Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of wounded servicemembers and the families that support them.

For many years as a senior Member of the @HASCRepublicans, I have led the effort to ban Chinese Communist drones which we finally passed in Congress and was fully implemented in December. Yesterday, I asked @SecWar Hegseth about the Department’s effort to increase domestic manufacturing of drones and its critical importance of protecting our national security. The Trump Administration rightly continues to prioritize reinvigorating our defense industrial base especially with emerging technologies.

Yesterday, @SecWar and General Dan Caine joined @HASCRepublicans for a full committee hearing to examine the President’s defense budget request. It was a productive and substantive discussion, focused on @SecWar’s strategic priorities and his plan to ensure the safety, strength, and security of the American people.

Sergeant First Class Thomas J. Grasso, part of two Special Forces teams outnumbered 60 to 1, held off 2,000 Taliban fighters in Kunduz, Afghanistan for 130 hours straight. Yesterday, I sat before @SecWar, @TheJointStaff, and @HASCRepublicans, read his proposed citation into the record, and made the case that his Silver Star should be upgraded to a Medal of Honor. I know every word of that citation to be true, because I was one of the teammates he rescued from a near and complex ambush, which is only one of 14 distinct and selfless acts of valor performed by SFC Grasso during that mission.

At today’s @HASCRepublicans hearing, I questioned @SecWar and @thejointstaff on the future of naval aviation and how the Navy plans to invest in our East Coast Master Jet Base and maintain our mobile air superiority with the F-35 and F/A-XX. Our F-18s are over 30 years old—we must commit to modernizing our fleet, strengthening readiness, and ensuring our pilots have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter threats and win decisively…! Watch my questioning👇

Iran is enriching uranium to 60%—weapons grade. Every nation that has done this has developed a nuclear weapon. Past presidents, Democrats & Republicans alike, have said we can't tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. President Trump is the ONLY one to back words up with action.

Chairman @RepMikeRogersAL on President Trump's historic $1.5 trillion defense budget:

At a critical moment for U.S. national security, @HASCRepublicans Chairman @RepMikeRogersAL is leading with clarity and urgency in confronting the China threat and strengthening America’s defense posture. In just 25 years, China has transformed from a largely defensive force into a modern military capable of projecting power across the Indo-Pacific, fueled by years of rapid industrial and military buildup and another 7% increase in defense spending this year. From shipbuilding to munitions to critical minerals to AI and chips, America must restore and enhance its national security innovation base to meet the pacing challenge posed by China.

Fellow Tennessean, @SecWar is appearing before the @HASCRepublicans today for a hearing. I thanked him for his commitment to restarting production on the MQ-9 Reaper Drone, which has been flown on successful missions by the TN Air National Guard 118th Wing. Watch ⬇️

And $100 billion to rebuild the defense industrial base means restoring America’s ability to produce at scale. Peace comes through strength, and this is how we achieve this. 🇺🇸 (6/6)

A 64% increase in research and development keeps America ahead in next-gen warfare with AI, autonomous systems, and other emerging threats. (5/6)

A 76% increase in procurement means restoring our arsenal. The ships, aircraft, and weapons are needed to deter all adversaries. (4/6)

A 115% increase to repair military facilities is long overdue. Our servicemembers shouldn’t have to live or work in outdated, underfunded infrastructure. (3/6)

This is about rebuilding strength. A 24% increase in operations & maintenance ensures our forces are trained, equipped, and ready when it matters most. (2/6)

🧵 For the first time in 40 years, we have a defense budget that reflects the true cost of deterrence. Peace isn’t free, and pretending it is has left us vulnerable. Here’s what President Trump’s $1.5 trillion national defense budget request delivers: 👇🏼 (1/6)

.@RepMikeRogersAL delivers opening statement in House Armed Services hearing on Iran conflict & military budget: "Each year, the budget presentation gives us the opportunity to take a hard look at the threats we face and our ability to deter and defeat them."

.@RepMikeRogersAL: "What additional changes in law…would you recommend that we pursue in this year's NDAA?" Hegseth: "You mentioned it, multi-year procurement, is incredibly important, and one of the most important parts of this bill."

.@SecWar: "Under the previous administration, we were focused on offshoring and outsourcing—riddled with cost overruns and degraded capabilities. Under the leadership of @POTUS, our builder-in-chief, we are reversing this systemic decay and putting our defense industrial base back on a wartime footing."

.@thejointstaff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine: "My blueprint for this role is General George C. Marshall. His commitment to civilian control of the military and non-partisan military remains a constant standard... I strive daily to emulate his candor."