The United States military remains the most powerful fighting force in the world. We must keep it that way. A strong military is the best way to protect our freedom here at home and promote stability around the world.
As the son of a World War II veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices that our brave servicemen and servicewomen make to keep us all safe. Freedom is not free—and it is the heroic actions of our men and women in uniform that have made America a beacon of democracy and prosperity around the world. For decades, America has been respected and feared on the world stage. Unfortunately, President Biden’s disastrous foreign policies emboldened our enemies and weakened America’s presence on the world stage. We see that countries like Iran, Russia, and China are on the move and are working against the interests of America and our allies. Thankfully, President Trump is back in office with a powerful national security team that is prioritizing his America First agenda and implementing “peace through strength” policies.
I am proud to represent Alabama on the Senate Armed Services Committee and serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Personnel. I am committed to making sure the United States military is ready to face the challenges ahead. It is imperative that we prioritize robust funding to increase the depth and lethality of our armed forces. We must make sophisticated, long-term, and serious investments to give our armed forces the tools they need to protect the nation. We cannot allow ourselves to be outpaced in spending or development by those who wish to do us harm.
Alabama has a long history of military excellence and hosts five bases across the state: Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell-Gunter, Fort Novosel, Anniston Army Depot, and Ft. McClellan Training Center Alabama National Guard. The men and women at these facilities are integral to our national security and Alabama is proud of their dedication to their fellow Americans.
Alabama is also home to some of the brightest stars in the space industry. Huntsville, “The Rocket City”, plays a vital role in both commercial and national security space efforts—the city has been instrumental to America’s space programs since the Apollo era. I will continue to advocate for Redstone Arsenal, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and all of the guardian organizations that help ensure that the U.S. is at the forefront of this new frontier. I have also been leading the fight to bring U.S. Space Command to its rightful home in Huntsville.
I serve on important subcommittees that position me well to advocate for a strong national security and military while protecting American taxpayers:
Our world is growing more dangerous every day with adversaries around the globe testing our resolve. It is critical we ensure our men and women in uniform have the resources necessary to combat threats from land, sea, sky, and space. The Senate Armed Services Committee is responsible for authorizing our military each year through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Through this legislation, I work with my colleagues to make necessary investments in our military and defense.
Small defense contractors are the backbone of our defense industry—providing countless jobs and cutting-edge technologies, which have allowed our military to lead the world. In the past 30 years, these integral contractors have struggled to compete with large defense contractors. I firmly believe that small and medium-sized businesses are creative economic drivers and the most innovative wing of our defense industrial base. As new global threats have emerged, I will continue to advocate for Alabama’s defense industry to ensure that companies big and small can continue producing game-changing equipment and technologies.
The Communist Chinese Party seeks to overtake the United States as the top global superpower. After four years of Joe Biden’s weak leadership, China has grown economically, become more militarily aggressive towards Taiwan, purchased thousands of acres of U.S. farmland, and infiltrated American schools. Under President trump, we must address China’s growing military and non-military threats with clear-eyed resolve.
I stand unequivocally with Israel and I am horrified by the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against innocent Israeli and American citizens. Israel has every right to defend itself. I am deeply disturbed by the rise of blatant antisemitism on the Left, especially on college campuses. Our support for Israel must be resolute as we strongly condemn all antisemitism.
In 2020, the U.S. Air Force conducted an extensive search for the best location for the new home of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM), reviewing objective criteria like infrastructure, costs, mission capability, and the quality of the local community. Sixty-six different locations in twenty-six states were evaluated, and in the end, Huntsville’s Redstone Arsenal ranked number one.
As soon as Joe Biden took office, he paused movement on that decision and inserted politics into what had been a fair and objective competition—not because the facts had changed, but because the political party of the sitting President had changed. In July 2023, Biden decided to keep SPACECOM in Colorado. As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue fighting to bring SPACECOM to its rightful home.
