Mike Rogers - Chairman of the Armed Services Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Mike Rogers - Chairman of the Armed Services Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed concerns about the Department of the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget request during a recent hearing. Rogers highlighted the challenges faced by the Air Force and Space Force due to budget cuts and the impact on national security.
Rogers emphasized the implications of the budget cuts, stating, "And like we heard from the Army yesterday, it means the Air Force and Space Force are being forced to absorb a lot of risk in the near term to try to keep delivery of out-year capabilities on track." He further noted that insufficient funding for spare parts has led to hundreds of aircraft being grounded on any given day.
The Chairman pointed out specific consequences of the budget cuts, including the need to divest aircraft, cut back on the acquisition of new fighter aircraft, and delays in modernizing systems for the Space Force. Rogers underlined the significance of understanding the risks associated with the budget constraints in maintaining deterrence against adversaries such as China and Russia.
Addressing General Saltzman of the Space Force, Rogers commended the release of the Commercial Space Strategy and stressed the importance of leveraging commercial resources in times of limited budgets for increased capacity and resiliency. He also inquired about the transition of core space missions from the Air Guard to the Space Force and its potential benefits for personnel.
Furthermore, Rogers highlighted the committee's vigilant oversight on the modernization of the nuclear triad, expressing concern over challenges faced by the Sentinel program and emphasizing the critical need for a modern and flexible nuclear triad in the face of growing nuclear arsenals of China and Russia.
The hearing shed light on the pressing issues surrounding the Air Force and Space Force budgets, with a focus on maintaining readiness and capability amidst budget constraints and evolving security threats.
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