Congressman Mike Rogers made the following remarks after the House of Representatives passed the House Budget Committee’s proposal with the Price substitute #2 that included $20 billion for defense. This substitute created sufficient funding levels for the Department of Defense funding Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) at $96 billion.

“Across East Alabama, hard-working families live on a budget – even when it means making some tough spending decisions. The Federal government should do the same thing. This bill will balance the budget over the next ten years while cutting spending. But it ensures the spending levels are in place to fund our military, readiness and keep our homeland safe. In this dangerous world we live in today, we must not risk our national security. I was pleased to see this legislation pass the House with my support,” Rogers said.

BIWEEKLY COLUMN

Since coming to Congress, I’ve had the honor to serve as a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) – which has given me the opportunity to see firsthand the importance of our national defense, and a never-ending source of pride for our brave men and women in uniform.

Since 9/11, I think folks across East Alabama can agree that we live in a very dangerous world.  The best way we can keep our nation safe from harm is by ensuring the Pentagon’s funding levels are sufficient. But budget cuts are having a devastating impact on our military readiness and ability to defend our nation.

Being a member of HASC affords me the opportunity to see the important work folks in the Third District are doing to support our nation’s defense. We are home to and close to several military installations like the Anniston Army Depot (ANAD), Ft. Benning and Maxwell Air Force Base.  These installations play a crucial role for  our national security.

ANAD, for instance, is one of the largest employers in East Alabama and the leading depot in the DOD system. In a hearing recently, I had the opportunity to question the Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, on what the next steps would be in securing future workloads at the Depot, including the future maintenance and overhaul of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).  I will continue to press Secretary Carter on how and when the decision will be made for the Depot Source of Repair (DSOR) for the AMPV, which will replace the M113 class of vehicles currently maintained at ANAD.

As Chairman of the Strategic Forces subcommittee, I’ve had the chance to deal directly with many of our most important defense programs meant to defend us against some of our worst enemies’ attacks on our homeland like Iran, Russia and North Korea.

My subcommittee has held many hearings recently on funding for programs like our missile defense.  During a recent hearing, Vice Admiral Jim Syring, Director, Missile Defense Agency, responded to a question regarding what funding cuts mean for the Department of Defense when it comes to defending our homeland.

Part of Syring’s response warned, “…with the development and testing that I see going on with North Korea – very specifically – and the pace and progress that they’re making, I’m in serious jeopardy without those improvements going to NORTHCOM Commander and advising him that the system is over-matched.”

‘Over-matched’ is not a word I ever want associated with our military capabilities.  And being outdone by a country that doesn’t play by the rules, like North Korea, is unacceptable.

Whether you are in East Alabama, or anywhere in America, our country’s defense budget is not only important to the folks at these facilities but also to the health of our national defense. Rest assured that I will work tirelessly to ensure our defense budget is always sufficient to adequately fund our military so that no adversary on the planet will ever over-match our forces.

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