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.
Alabama has a long history of military excellence and hosts five bases across the state: Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell-Gunter, Fort Rucker, Anniston Army Depot, and Ft. McClellan Training Center Alabama National Guard. And, after an extensive selection process, Alabama should also soon be the permanent home of U.S. Space Command.
The men and women at these facilities are integral to our national security and Alabama is proud of their dedication to their fellow Americans.
We must make sophisticated, sustainable, and serious investments in our armed forces to give them 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. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am committed to maintaining robust funding to increase the depth and lethality of our armed forces.
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, U.S. Space Command, and all of the guardian organizations that help ensure that the U.S. is at the forefront of this new frontier.
I serve on the Armed Services Committee, which is responsible for authorizing our military each year through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). I work with my colleagues to make necessary investments through the NDAA and support our servicemembers and their families. I serve on important subcommittees that position me well to advocate for the American taxpayer and our service members:
Our world is growing more dangerous 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 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the annual bill used to provide funding levels for our nation’s armed forces and military priorities. In my second year on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I focused on five priorities in fiscal year 2023 (FY23) NDAA: risk taking, lethality, securing the Indo-Pacific, space, and capacity. I secured wins for our nation and Alabama in the NDAA, which I urged Democrats to pass and President Biden to sign for months. Though Democratic leadership held the bill until December 2022, it did pass the Senate by a veto-proof majority shortly before Christmas.
A full list of wins for the nation and Alabama can be found in Coach Tuberville’s Defense Playbook.
Small defense contractors are the backbone of our defense industry, providing the innovation and resources necessary so our military can remain at the top of their game. In the past 30 years, these businesses have struggled to compete with large defense contractors, causing a drastic reduction in the industry. I have sought out ways to provide long-term viability for our small defense contractors.
Our military needs to do what it does best – defend our country and its freedoms. I pushed back against the politicization and misuse of our military and opposed nominees from the Biden administration who do not have the temperament and judgement necessary to lead our national defense.
The Communist Chinese Party seeks to overtake the United States as the top global superpower. We must face China’s growing military and non-military threats with clear-eyed resolve.
The American people deserve answers about President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. I pushed for accountability and transparency from all levels of the Biden administration.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine needed to be met with a swift and strong response from the Biden administration, but instead President Biden has led from behind. President Biden’s weakness on the world stage is a top concern.
The United States should not enter any version of the failed 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. The United States should stand strong against our adversaries, like Iran, not negotiate favorable deals with them.