Defense & National Security
Ensuring national security is one of the primary Constitutional responsibilities of Congress. In the 21st Century, America needs a flexible military that is able to confront emerging threats, such as terrorism, growing regional instability, the spread of nuclear weapons, and the emergence of cyber warfare.
As the Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I support smart and strategic investments in our national defense that ensure our service members are the most skilled and the best trained and equipped fighting force in the world. I am also focused on improving military health care, ending military sexual assault, and supporting international military-to-military cooperation to prevent conflicts.
More on Defense & National Security
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement ahead of President Biden's arrival in Minnesota, after the president proposed a $33 billion supplemental aid package for Ukraine and encouraged Congress to pass additional COVID-19 funding:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, has landed in Europe with fellow subcommittee members Congressman John Carter (TX-31), Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Congressman Steve Womack (AR-03).
The representatives released the following statements:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today led a classified hearing with General Stephen. J. Townsend, Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today led a classified hearing with Commander Admiral Charles A. Richard on the posture of the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today led a classified hearing to receive testimony from General Laura J. Richardson Commander of the U.S. Southern Command, ahead of the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations process. The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Area of Responsibility encompasses 31 countries and 16 dependencies and areas of special sovereignty, including the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico, the waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today led a classified hearing to receive testimony from General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., Commander of the U.S. Central Command, ahead of the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations process. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility spans 21 nations from Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, commends the House passage of the FY 2022 federal legislation to fund the economic, educational, health care, and environmental priorities of the American people, including our urgent national security needs amid Russia's war in Ukraine. The bill now goes to the Senate for passage before heading to the President's desk to be signed into law.
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, led a classified hearing this morning to receive testimony from General Tod Wolters, Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, for details on Russia's military assault on Ukraine, the response from Ukrainian resistance, and U.S. military activities in the European theater to support Ukraine's military operations.
Chair McCollum released the following statement:
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Chairman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and will hold a press conference on the Congressional delegation to the Munich Security Conference, February 19th, at 5 p.m. C.E.T./ 11:00 a.m. E.T. at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof.
WHO:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Adam Schiff, Chair, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Barbara Lee, Subcommittee Chair, State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, House Appropriations Committee