McCollum Chairs Hearing on U.S. Southern Command Challenges

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.

Chair McCollum released the following statement:
"I was pleased to welcome Gen. Richardson to hear testimony on budgetary needs for SOUTHCOM as we begin the FY 2023 Appropriations process," Chair McCollum said. "With growing influence in the region from China, ongoing Russian disinformation campaigns, turmoil in Venezuela, the impacts of climate change, and the economic and security situation in Central America, the SOUTHCOM region faces many challenges at this moment. As we look ahead toward directing resources within the Defense Appropriations bill, it is helpful to have insights from Gen. Richardson about how SOUTHCOM is positioned to address these and other challenges, and how Congress can best support our national security goals and the 5,000 U.S. personnel in the region."

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Chair McCollum and General Richardson ahead of today's hearing

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Chair of the Defense Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on the United States Southern Command (CLOSED):

We welcome our witness, General Laura Richardson,

Commander of SOUTHCOM, to her first appearance before the Subcommittee.

We look forward to your testimony today.

The purpose of today's hearing is to discuss the challenges in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility ahead of the fiscal year 2023 budget request.

There are many issues that I hope we can address today,

and I will mention a handful that are shaping the region.

First, there is the influence of China.

China is now the largest investor and creditor in the SOUTHCOM region, which China also leverages in the political and security space.

Second, there is the influence of Russia.

While Russia's economic influence doesn't compare to China's, Russia's disinformation campaigns are widespread,

and Russia's security cooperation with Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua is concerning.

Third, there is the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela.

The collapse of the Venezuelan economy has created an ongoing refugee crisis, and the lack of governed areas has become a haven for criminal organizations.

Fourth, there is the economic and security situation in Central America.

These conditions, particularly in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, continue to push migration towards the United States.

And finally, there is the impact of climate change.

SOUTHCOM sees hundreds of natural disasters every year and these are made worse by climate change.

Honduras in particular was hit by two hurricanes at the end of 2020 and is still yet to recover.

Climate change will continue to impact the economic and security situation in these nations, and will continue to drive migrants to our southern border.

We look forward to hearing how SOUTHCOM is postured and resourced to address these and other challenges, and to support the 5,000 U.S. personnel serving in this area of responsibility.

With that, I want to thank everyone for participating in today's hearing and I now recognize our distinguished ranking member,

Mr. Calvert, for his opening remarks.

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